ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on Thursday said it was repatriating teachers serving on deputation and under wedlock policy on the direction of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Following a protest and press conference by the aggrieved teachers on Wednesday, who alleged that some officials of the FDE had misguided the court to repatriate them, the FDE on Thursday issued a press release, stating that it has been repatriating the teachers on the direction of IHC.

The press release said in response to various applications filed by various teachers, the IHC announced a comprehensive decision on a writ petition 194/2020 in which it ruled that the FDE got services of teachers belonging to various provinces in violation of prescribed rules of deputation.

The FDE said it was directed by the court to send back all those who were serving in Islamabad-based schools and colleges in violation of deputation rules. It said the FDE and the Ministry of Education are bound to implement the court orders, therefore, the teachers are being repatriated to their parent department in provinces.

The FDE said in future whenever need arises, the FDE will hire the services of teachers from other provinces in accordance with rules set by the court.

Scores of female teachers on Wednesday held a protest against the FDE and said they had been serving in Islamabad under the wedlock policy for years but were repatriated in violation of the policy.

The protesting teachers said they had been serving in the FDE-run schools and colleges under the wedlock policy and in 2013 the then prime minister approved a summary directing the FDE for absorption of teachers who had worked in the capital for more than five years. There were over 250 teachers, mainly women, working under the wedlock policy for over five to 20 years.

Among them there are also teachers who had submitted permanent no-objection certificates (NOC) issued by their parent departments on the direction of the FDE in 2013. But the FDE officials said under deputation rules, no teachers could serve in other department for more than five years.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2021