Haripur educators reassigned to original posts

HARIPUR:

The Haripur District Education Officer (Male) has issued transfer letters for 77 primary teachers, directing them back to schools in their recruiting Union Councils (UCs).

Shahid Gohar, a teacher leader, praised this initiative, noting that it addresses a longstanding issue where teachers, initially recruited in remote areas, were later transferred to urban schools. This practice often led to positions in city schools being filled, leaving no room for recruits and leading to a high merit requirement that disadvantaged qualified local candidates.

Gohar highlighted that despite MPhil and PhD graduates from Haripur's local UCs scoring 80 to 90 marks, they were not recruited. Instead, candidates from distant UCs with lower scores—40 to 45 marks—were hired and later transferred to urban schools. This resulted in village schools being left without teachers and local children missing out on education.

He further criticised the recruitment process, noting that in subsequent hiring rounds, urban areas receive only two positions, while 15 to 20 posts are advertised for each vacant village school. This system continues disadvantaging educated city residents while less qualified teachers are recruited for village schools.

Gohar commended the District Education Officer for implementing the provincial government's orders and issuing transfer letters, addressing these inequities.