TAXILA: A higher secondary school in Attock city has only one teacher for 12 classes.

According to the data gathered by Dawn, out of the 15 approved posts for Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Durdad only seven teachers were appointed.

However, with the passage of time some of the teachers were transferred while others retired after attaining 60 years of age. Presently, there is only one teacher, Malik Afzal Ahmed.

After the transfer of principal Tahir Mahmood Khan, the additional charge of principal was given to senior teacher Lahrasab Khan, who also retired recently.

Councillor Tahir Mahmood told Dawn that it was the only higher secondary school on Sanjwal Road fulfilling the educational needs of children since 2005.

“However, because of severe shortage of teachers, students of classes 11 and 12 and their parents are suffering,” he added.

Numbardar Mohammad Banaras Khan said since there was only one teacher left in the school, the students of class 11 and 12 were facing difficulties in completing their academic work.

Haji Mohammad Akram, another resident of the area, said on the one hand the government stressed enrollment and on the other there was highest drop-put ratio in higher classes due to paucity of teaching staff.

Local notables Hafiz Abdul Hameed Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Niazi, Naseer Ahmad Khan, Iftikhar Ahmad Khan and Haji Khalid Nawaz demanded that the Punjab education department and the district administration authorities should appoint teachers in the school.

They expressed their concern about the future of their children as the school had been short of teaching staff for the last several years and the authorities failed to fill the vacant posts despite repeated requests.

Students also demanded immediate appointment of teachers on all vacant posts.

“There is only one teacher due to which students of higher secondary section who appeared in the board exam could not get good marks,” said Mohammad Shahid, a grade 11th student.

When contacted, Chief Executive Officer District Education Authority Mohsin Abbas said the principal and vice principal of the school retired while three senior subject teachers got themselves transferred to their choice stations.

He said the district and provincial education department had been informed about the paucity of teachers in the school, adding: “We are waiting for their action accordingly.”

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2021