MIANWALI: The entire staff, including headmistress and watchman of Government Model Primary School at Mohallah Fateh Khelanwwala Piplan, was suspended from service on Thursday for shifting minor students to nearby Eidgah.

Mianwali Deputy Commissioner Omer Sher Chatta took serious notice of teachers protest and shifting of minor students to nearby Eidgah which was said to be a security risk for students as well as for female staff.

The DC deputed Piplan AC Bilal Bin Aziz along with Education CEO Syed Waheedudin Shah to visit the school and probe the matter. Both the officials visited the school at Piplan on Thursday and talked to teachers, students as well as locals.

The deputy education officer (female) being the competent authority ordered to suspend all teachers along with headmistress and watchman of the school. The students were shifted back to the school and four new teachers were appointed there from another government school of Piplan city and the teaching resumed on the premises of the school.

Education CEO Syed Waheedudin Shah told Dawn that inquiry against the headmistress on complaints of teachers was also in progress besides another probe under Peeda Act against watchman under way [and both reports are awaited].

He alleged that the protest and shifting of school to Eidgah was an attempt by teachers to pressurise the inquiry committee. Moreover, he said teachers’ act of shifting students to Eidgah was a security risk for students and for them as well.

He said two teachers were not suspended as they were on maternity leave. He said more teachers would be appointed soon to complete the required strength.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2020