Teachers in Punjab, Pakistan Protest Against Controversial Policies
On Thursday, hundreds of teachers gathered outside the Civil Secretariat of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, to protest against several controversial policies implemented by the Punjab government. The protest was organized by the Grand Teachers Alliance (GTA) and the Punjab Teachers Union (PTU).
Key Demands
The teachers, led by figures such as Chaudhry Bashir Warraich, Rana Anwarul Haq, Rana Liaqat, and Kashif Shehzad, outlined several key demands:
- Reassessment of the new school timetable
- Reversal of the privatisation of 13,000 public schools
- Review of discrepancies in service and promotion regulations
- Unconditional promotions for senior subject specialists and assistant education officers
- Time-scale promotions and in-service promotions for all teaching positions
- Pay and service protection
- Upgrades for teaching roles
- Restoration of leave encashment
- Pension and income tax reforms for teachers
- Hiring of new educators
- Improvements to school infrastructure
- Creation of new science and computer labs
- Provision of allowances for computer use and head teachers
Statements from Leaders
Rana Liaqat, a PTU member, urged teachers to stand against the administration’s intimidation tactics and participate in the protest. He stated, “Teachers must not be intimidated by negative tactics. We urge all to reach the Civil Secretariat Lahore at any cost. Our protest is peaceful, but the administration is provoking us with negative strategies. A peaceful protest is our constitutional and legal right, and it cannot be stifled through force.”
The GTA leadership expressed frustration over the Punjab government’s inability to address their concerns. They opposed the transfer of privatisation to NGOs, fearing it would affect the quality of education and job security. One leader warned, “These new experiments will destroy the education system,” adding that the teachers had no choice but to protest for their rights and the future of education in the province.
Doubts Revealed
Punjab, Pakistan -: Punjab is a province in Pakistan, which is a country next to India. It is different from Punjab in India.
Grand Teachers Alliance (GTA) -: The Grand Teachers Alliance is a group of teachers who come together to fight for their rights and better working conditions.
Punjab Teachers Union (PTU) -: The Punjab Teachers Union is another group of teachers in Punjab, Pakistan, who work together to make sure teachers are treated fairly.
Civil Secretariat -: The Civil Secretariat is a big government building in Lahore, where important government work happens.
Lahore -: Lahore is a big city in Punjab, Pakistan. It is known for its rich history and culture.
privatisation -: Privatisation means changing public schools, which are run by the government, into private schools, which are run by private companies or people.
discrepancies in promotion regulations -: This means there are problems or unfair rules about how teachers get promoted to higher positions.
Chaudhry Bashir Warraich -: Chaudhry Bashir Warraich is one of the leaders who is speaking up for the teachers during the protest.
Rana Liaqat -: Rana Liaqat is another leader who is helping to speak up for the teachers’ rights during the protest.
unconditional promotions -: Unconditional promotions mean teachers want to be promoted to higher positions without any unfair conditions or rules.
pay protection -: Pay protection means making sure teachers’ salaries are safe and do not get reduced.
school infrastructure -: School infrastructure means the buildings, classrooms, and facilities that make up a school.
