ISLAMABAD: As the Federal Directorate of Education notified time-scale promotions for at least 886 teachers working in various schools and colleges in its jurisdiction, the education ministry has yet to consider the promotions of eligible teachers working in pay grade 18 and above, causing concerns among many such educators nearing the age of retirement.

The FDE’s move to notify 886 teachers followed a recent notification by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training that awarded HTS to eligible teachers. According to the notification, 38 male and 53 female lecturers from federal government colleges in BPS-17 had been granted HTS of BPS-18. Similarly, 112 male and 87 lecturers from Islamabad model colleges were awarded the HTS of BPS-18. Furthermore, 87 junior teachers of BPS-16 from Islamabad model colleges were granted HTS of BPS-17.

Moreover, 153 male and 78 secondary school teachers as well as 91 male and 87 female senior elementary teachers in BPS-16 were awarded the higher time scale of BPS-17. A nursery school teacher in BPS-16 also received a higher grade of BPS-17.

However, it is worth noting that the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training did not consider the HTS cases of BPS-18 and above in this round of promotions, leading to concerns among teachers.

Almost 250 educators await joining letters despite passing FPSC exam

Many teachers on the verge of retirement are worried that if their HTS cases were not considered promptly, they might retire without availing benefits of the higher time scale they were entitled to, leading to financial setbacks in their post-retirement lives.

An associate professor on the condition of anonymity said: “My superannuation date falls in December and I fear that further delays in the grant of higher time scale could force me to retire without getting the due benefits I deserve after decades of service to the education sector. I shouldn’t have to face retirement without the recognition of my years of hard work through the higher time scale.”

Dr Nazir Ahmed Bhutta, the general secretary of the Federal Government College Teachers Association, said: “We appreciate the education secretary for acknowledging the hard work of teachers by granting HTS to BPS-16 and BPS-17 teachers. It’s a step in the right direction.”

“However, our plea is for fairness. The teachers of grade-18 and above, too, have put in years of effort. We urge the secretary of education to extend this recognition to all deserving teachers in grade-18 and above. Many of us are just a few months away from retirement, and the delay is causing significant anxiety among the teachers. Moreover, equality in promotions is essential for maintaining morale within the teaching community,” he said.

Similarly, almost 250 teachers who cleared the test and interviews conducted by the Federal Public Services Commission (FPSC) on the directions of the Islamabad High Court, are yet to receive their joining letters.

It is worth mentioning that over 500 daily wager teachers had contacted the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in June 2018 for regularisation. The court directed to send the cases of teachers to the FPSC for regularisation. Subsequently, a test was held in 2020 and interviews were conducted in June 2023. Last month, the FPSC sent names of 238 successful candidates to the ministry.

The education ministry referred the case to the Finance Division for the creation of new posts even though vacant seats were available for at least 238 successful candidates.

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2023