If a hawker can earn more than a person engaged in teaching, then it is clear that the society had lost the respect and dignity of this 'noble and prophetic' profession. A notification, No SOIII (S&GAD) 7-2/2010 for the promotion of assistant professors from BS-18 to BS-19, issued on Friday, February 25, showcases the above statement.
The notification shows lack of interest of the ministry in the profession of teaching and the fate of professors and lecturers, as it only contains names of the teachers. Neither their college names where they are posted currently nor their father's name, or any other verification item which could explain that 'Mr so and so' had been promoted from BS-18 to BS-19, Professor Iftikhar Aazmi, General Secretary, SPLA, Karachi region, said.
Time scale system should be implemented as teachers from last 15 to 20 years are waiting for their promotion and regularisation. The government only gives assurances to the teachers and associations that very soon the issue would be resolved and teachers would be promoted and regularised, but only words, no practical actions, had been witnessed which could prove the mettle of the ministry, he added.
All around Sindh colleges face almost 3,500 teachers' shortage. From last 3 years no teacher had been appointed but a few limited numbers here and there, eg DJ Science College needs 80 teachers but it only has 50. Same is the with Adamjee Science College where almost 14 local residents are teaching as honorary. In Orangi 11/C Qasba College, only a principal has been appointed, but not a single teacher, and the college is running from last two years.
The government insists on transfers. SPLA demands first to cover up the shortage, later transfer anyone anywhere. The government last year transferred 414 teachers which caused closure of faculties in many colleges as it did not leave a single teacher for specific subject.
The government does not have any checks and balances system. Many colleges have set up private stalls in their premises illegally but there is no one or even any system to ask them why they are doing so, or is this an educational institute or a Meena Bazaar.
Many lecturers are teaching in government as well as private colleges at the same time. They only sign the muster roll of the government colleges, and leave. The sufferers are only the students. SPLA demands strict action against such corrupt teachers: either they should be fired, or strict action be taken for doing so, and new deserving, qualified and honest teachers should be appointed. SPLA had high hopes from Nafisa Shah, Secretary, Education, that she might bring some reforms, but nothing has happened yet. SPLA will protest in front of CM House on March 1 for approval of its demands.
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