SAHIWAL: The Higher Education Department (HED) has called back 1,269 teaching and non-teaching staff working on deputation in 11 public sector universities across Punjab.

As many as 529 belong to general teaching and 740 non-teaching cadre.

Sources said that during the first phase all deputationists had been asked to report back to the department before July 1. They would be adjusted in near future.

The HED under a federal government policy converted many colleges of Punjab into public universities through a legislation. Among them were government colleges in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha and DG Khan.

They faced difficulties in developing their own rules and regulation and acquiring new staff because of financial constraints so they retained most teachers on deputation.

At the Emerson University, Multan, the college cadre teachers have been given option either to stay with the new administration on deputation or leave the university and report to the HED.

HED Special Secretary Naeem Ghaus said these teachers would be appointed and adjusted in the same district from where they are called back.

He said if any university wanted to retain any general college cadre faculty member, it is its responsibility to provide salary and budget.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2021