ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Another ‘Salam Teacher Day’ is going to be celebrated today (Friday) with all the slogans similar to those raised in the previous years.

The administration of each institution has been directed to send about 9 teachers on the occasion to the National Library Islamabad to celebrate the function.

As per past practice, the deputed teachers will have to wait for 2-3 hours outside the library for security clearance. A story of 3 fathers will again be told to the audience/teachers. Some lollipops will be given again, a teacher told Dawn.

The history of celebrating World Teachers’ Day/Salam Teacher Day in Pakistan is not very old. It was during the regime of General Musharraf that media started shedding light on the plight of teachers.

A teacher requesting not to be identified said that teachers, in the federal capital are facing many problems. The main problem being finding suitable accommodation, transportation and absence of training, prior to sending a teacher to a class.

When a teacher was asked for his comments, he said: “I request the prime minister that the delivery of house rental ceiling cheques to the landlords may kindly be expedited, besides celebrating the day.”

To overcome the problem of housing, a teacher of H-9 College said: “There is a lot of unused land in many of the Federal Governments Colleges and Schools. It could be utilized for building flats and residences for teachers.”

Speaking to Dawn, Professor Tahir Mahmood spokesman for Federal Government College Teachers Association said that teachers are still ignored in this society.

“Teachers in public sector are being paid less than a peon or driver in a bank, while privately he/she is at the mercy of the employer that is why teachers have to rely on tuition work that eventually taxes their lifestyle and health,” he said.

Federal secretary CAD, Riffat Shaheen Qazi said that she had recently joined the ministry but had been briefed about the issues of the community. She assured that she will solve the issues.—A Reporter