ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has proposed salary incentives for teachers serving in 36 schools located in hard and far-flung areas.

The FDE regulates 423 educational institutions in the federal capital. Out of these, 36 schools are located in far-flung areas.

Officials of the FDE said in most of the cases teachers posted to these 36 schools try to get themselves transferred back to the urban areas.

They said some of the schools were located far away from the city such as Chaghtan area, which is a bordering area between Islamabad and Kotli Sattian tehsil of Rawalpindi.

Teachers posted to 36 schools in far-flung areas avoid serving there, says FDE official

“Our schools are located in villages located in Margalla Hills while there are also schools on the boarder area of Islamabad-Murree and Islamabad-Taxila etc,” said an official.

He said FDE schools in far-flung areas included those in Mera Bagwal, Bobri, Balwar, Romli, Gogina, Harno, Dhoke Fatyal, Mora,Dhok Pindi Mistrian and Ara etc.

The official said FDE in the past had made several attempts for introducing a transfer policy on rotation basis but that policy could not work due to political and bureaucratic pressure.

He said as a permanent solution, the FDE has decided to give hard area allowance to teachers serving in such schools.

He said FDE Director General Dr Ikram Ali Malik discussed the issue with Federal Ministry of Education and it was decided that a summary will be sent to the federal government for approval of the hard area allowance.

The official said FDE had proposed 15 to 20pc increase in basic salaries of teachers working in schools which are inaccessible in terms of availability of transport service while 10 to 15pc increase in basic salaries of teachers in those areas which are located in far-flung areas but are accessible through public transport.

The official said 10 hard area schools fall in Sihala sector, 15 in Nilor and 11 in Bhara Kahu sector.

“The ministry of education is already cognisant of the issue and is supportive of the hard area allowance for teachers. So we are hopeful the summary will be approved by the federal government,” he said, adding the FDE through the education ministry would send the summary to Prime Minister Imran Khan for approval.

The official said besides giving hard area allowance the FDE will also ensure rotation-based transfer and posting of teachers. Those who have been serving in rural areas for years will be transferred to the urban areas and those serving in urban areas for long time will be sent to rural areas.

“The hard area allowance does not mean that we will not implement the rotation-based transfer policy. This is a practical solution and an incentive for those teachers who will serve in far-flung areas,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2021