Education dept to respond to accusation of delaying tactics

Punjab education dept asked to respond to petition, accused of delaying appointment of two female teachers.

RAWALPINDI: Punjab education department has been asked to respond to a petition accusing it of using delaying tactics in the appointment of two female teachers.

Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench asked Muhammad Aslam Kambo, secretary school education Punjab, and Imdadullah Bosal, district coordinating officer, to submit their comments for not appointing two female teachers, Shabana Shaheen and Raheela Ishaq, to Usman Khattar Boys High School.

Both Shaheen and Ishaq had applied for the posts of teachers in 2008 and were selected on merit. According to the 2008 policy by Punjab government, female candidates could only be appointed at a primary school for boys or at a high school for girls.

Both the petitioners challenged the policy on the basis of gender discrimination. They said said that according to the constitution, government policies should be uniform.

In July 2009, LHC Rawalpindi Bench issued stay orders on the three vacant seats at the boy’s high school till the final disposal of the case. Later on January 6, 2010 the LHC Rawalpindi bench decided in favour of the petitioner.

However, the provincial government then filed an appeal before a division bench against the appointment. The division bench also decided in favour of the two women.

Punjab government moved the case to Supreme Court. The apex court also ruled
the case in favour of Shaheen and Ishaq.

The two petitioners are now seeking that their appointment to the high school be considered from January 6, the date of the original ruling.

The court has directed the education department officials to submit their response by December 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2010.