DERA GHAZI KHAN: No teacher is ready to head the Dera Ghazi Khan Divisional Public School and College (DPSC) after the resignation of the principal in April as the institution is in deep financial troubles.

Teachers and other employees of the DPSC have not paid their salaries in the last five months. After the resignation of Principal Hidayatullah Niazi, the DPSC board offered the post to three candidates but none of them accepted the offer as the institution is facing financial as well as administrative issues.

The DPSC Dera Ghazi Khan immediately needs Rs30 million for salaries payments and other administrative affairs, sourced told Dawn. The DPSC was established in 1986 as trust under the chairmanship of commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan.

Sources told Dawn that monthly income of the school is at least Rs7.5 million whereas expenditures are Rs6.5 million. But due to financial mismanagement, the institution is financial crisis. Earlier, Principal Niazi had terminated two clerks and some staff members for their financial corruption earlier this year. They are trying to get reinstated.

Sources alleged that there are irregularities in the submission record of funds. The institution has no transparent system of fee recovery. From recruitment to promotion there are no set rules.

When Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was informed about the financial issues of the DPSC several months ago, he had promised to visit the institution but the staff has been waiting for his arrival. They appealed to the chief minister to solve the financial crisis of the institution or future of 2,300 students would be at stake.

The commissioner was not available for comment.

Mr Niazi said he found the institution deeply gripped by the nepotism, favouritism and maladministration. “At all levels, a self centred approach by the staff ruined the institution. I witnessed a very poor execution of financial, academic and administrative procedures resulting in the lack of sincerity and vigour by the staff. The institutional bye-laws also required overhauling due to the lack of equilibrium between staff welfare and college growth. I tried my level best to redress and rectify the shortcomings that I could,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2020