UPPER DIR: Tanzim-i-Asatiza Pakistan (TAP), Upper Dir chapter, on Wednesday demanded withdrawal of FIRs registered against heads of government-run schools across the district for failing to ensure security at their respective institutions.

Syed Chiraghuddin, the TAP district president, said it was unfair to hold teachers responsible for security of educational institutions, adding schools didn’t have sufficient funds for security arrangements.

He said provision of security to people was the responsibility of the police and not the teachers.

However, he said teachers would cooperate with the government to ensure better security for schools, and asked the government to provide funds for the purpose.

FIRs were registered against many heads of schools in the district over not making the proper security arrangements in their respective schools.

Mr Chiraghudin said that teachers were being pressurised to do what they were not meant to do.

He said that teacher’s duty was to teach students and build their character.

“Teachers were not recruited for security purposes, but to teach students and prepare them for better future,” he added.

Mr Chiraghudin said he had taken up the issue with the district nazim the other day, adding the nazim had assured funds for security arrangements in schools.

He said the district nazim had convened a meeting next week attended by deputy commissioner, Pak army representatives, district education officer, district police officer, and teachers representatives to discuss the important issue.

The teachers’ leader demanded that FIRs registered against the heads of schools should be withdrawn, otherwise a call for protest would be given.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2016