LAKKI MARWAT, Oct 7: The district education officer fined several teachers during surprise visits to different schools here on Monday.

DEO Haji Taj Ali Khan paid surprise visits to different schools on the complaints of people about absenteeism of teachers. He found about 18 teachers absent from duty and ordered deduction from their salaries.

The DEO visited primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools in Wanda Cheekari, Sarkati Michenkhel, Mir Azam Michenkhel, Kachi Kamar, Aalmshahkhel, Wanda Bhawali, Wanda Aurangzeb, Wanda Shahabkhel, Landiwah, Zangikhel, Badnikhel, Jhangkhel, Chuharkhel, Shabazkhel and Darra Pezu and checked attendance of teachers and other record.

Mr Khan found 18 teachers absent from duty and issued on spot orders about deduction from their salaries. He also called explanation from the teachers, who availed more than two casual leaves in a month.

The DEO said that truant teachers would also face disciplinary action. He said that there was no room in the department for habitual absentee teachers and other employees.

Mr Khan showed anguish over the poor cleanliness condition in the schools and directed the heads of schools to provide clean environment to students.

Meanwhile, the Class-IV employees have demanded of the provincial government to fix eight hours duty schedule for them.

Talking to journalists here on Monday, the office-bearers of All Class-IV Employees Association said that watchmen of primary schools were performing round the clock duty which was a violation of their basic rights. “The government should sanction additional posts of Class-IV employees at primary schools in the district,” they said.

They said that the previous government decreased the age limit from 45 years to 30 years for recruitment of Class-IV employees at any government department. They said government should restore 45 years age limit for recruitment of Class-IV employees.

They said that government should announce time scale promotion formula for Class-IV employees and include them in the parent teacher councils.