LAHORE: Punjab Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat on Friday took notice of reported irregularities in the promotion process of 50 teachers across three districts in the province.

The School Education Department (SED) is currently conducting promotions for approximately 20,000 teaching and non-teaching staff across all provincial schools. This includes around 16,000 teaching positions and 4,000 non-teaching staff roles.

Complaints from 50 teachers in the districts of Sheikhupura, Attock, and Bhakkar prompted the minister’s intervention.

According to reports, the promotion process is being hindered by officers who are allegedly using delaying tactics, causing significant delays and frustration among the staff awaiting promotion. The officials were also involved in favouring junior staff and giving promotion to them, ignoring senior members of the staff.

Minister takes notice

Minister Hayat stated that his office has been receiving consistent reports of irregularities and vowed to take strict action against any officers found guilty of malpractice.

“We will not tolerate any form of misconduct in the promotion process. All staff members are entitled to fair and timely promotion based on their qualification and seniority,” he asserted.

To address the issue, the minister provided a direct contact number for lodging complaints related to promotion irregularities-- 0316-0261408. “We encourage all affected staff to report any discrepancies they encounter. This will help us identify and rectify issues promptly,” he added.

Punjab Teachers Union (PTU) representative Rana Liaqat highlighted that many teachers faced challenges during the ongoing promotion process.

“Several teachers have reported that their degrees are not being accepted for promotion, and their seniority is being questioned,” Liaqat explained.

He emphasized the need for a transparent and fair promotion system to ensure that deserving candidates are not overlooked.

The SED is under pressure to address these concerns swiftly, as the integrity of the promotion process is crucial for maintaining staff morale and the overall quality of education in Punjab’s schools.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024