ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has invited applications for the long-awaited vacant post of the director general (DG) Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to finally end the leadership vacuum that has persisted since July 31, 2023.

The post became vacant following the removal of Dr Ikram Ali Malik by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

The FDE, which manages 432 schools and colleges in the Islamabad Capital Territory, oversees more than 14,000 teaching and non-teaching staff and educates over 200,000 students.

Since Dr Ikram’s removal, the FDE has been functioning under temporary arrangements. Initially, in October 2024, Joint Secretary (Education) Amjad Ahmed held the additional charge of DG, followed briefly by a deputy DG who retired soon after assuming office. Currently, Joint Secretary Syed Junaid Akhlaq is serving as the interim DG.

The education ministry started the process of appointing the DG in October 2023, and invited nominations for the post. A candidate, Dr Samia Rehman Dogar, Director Federal College of Education, applied for the post but was rejected at the initial stage. She approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in April 2024, arguing that the post, being part of the All-Pakistan Service, must be filled through FPSC in accordance with the Civil Servants Act 1973.

In August 2025, the IHC quashed the ongoing recruitment process and directed the ministry to start a fresh process, paving the way for the FPSC’s announcement.

According to the advertisement available on the website of FPSC, candidates applying for the BPS-21 post must hold a PhD or MPhil/MS (18 years education experience) or a master’s/bachelor’s degree (16 years education experience).

The degree should be from a university recognised by the HEC.

The age limit is 42-50 years plus five years general relaxation in upper age limit. However, the age relaxation beyond the age of 55 years is neither admissible to government servants nor to other categories.

It will be a merit-based seat based in Islamabad. The closing date for applications is November 24, 2025.

Teachers have expressed relief over the development, saying the prolonged leadership gap had caused significant administrative and academic disruptions.

Several BS programmes were reportedly discontinued, and teachers were frequently transferred on temporary or “attachment basis,” often outside their areas of expertise.

Female teachers were posted to boys’ colleges and male teachers to girls’ colleges, raising social concerns and disrupting academic continuity.

“Ad hoc transfers disrupted teaching, staff were assigned subjects beyond their specialisation, and key policy decisions were delayed.

The absence of a regular DG affected the entire academic chain,” said a senior teacher on condition of anonymity.

The FPSC-led recruitment process, including shortlisting and interviews, is expected to take several months.

Teachers expressed hope that the appointment of a permanent DG will stabilise administration, ensure transparency, curb attachment-based transfers, align teacher assignments with expertise, and address long-pending issues such as the grant of higher time scale.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025