ISLAMABAD, May 9: Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has spared 112 buses of educational institutions for election duty.

But the move has upset the principals of various colleges, who believe that in the absence of sufficient funds they would not be able to bear the fuel expenses.

A principal of a model college requesting not to be identified said that institutions were facing a financial crunch, but they were obliged to send buses.

An official of FDE added that he has come to know that most of the colleges including G-10/4, H-8 and H-9 have already consumed all the funds allocated for fuel.

“They have been borrowing fuel from filling stations through vouchers with an assurance that price of fuel will be paid at the start of next fiscal year, but election duty will add to their expenses,” he said.

When contacted, Director General FDE Shahnaz Anjum Riaz said that she had talked to district administration and had got assurance that district administration would provide them fuel.

Problem of Bus Drivers and Helpers

Decision to use buses of educational institutions has become a huge problem for the drivers and helpers of buses as they were planning to spend four days along with the family members but now they have to work over 12 hours every day.

A driver of a bus requesting not to be identified said, “I have been instructed by the principal that I will be on the disposal of the district administration from 9th May to 12th May. I will not get any payment for the four days and this has further disappointed me.”

He said that in the past, the district administration used to confiscate public transport for election duties but then paid the drivers as well. This time it seemed that poor bus drivers would not get any money just because they are government servants, he said.

President Non-Teaching Staff Association Sadaqat Abbasi, while talking to Dawn, said an FDE official contacted his association and demanded provision of drivers and helpers list.

“The association has provided the number of vehicles, the names of the drivers and their phone numbers. Election is a national cause so we will provide our services, but drivers and helpers should be paid some amount just like the teachers,” he said.

DG FDE Shahnaz Riaz said she agreed that drivers should get remuneration for their duties.

“I will request the district administration to pay reasonable amount to the drivers,” she assured.