LAHORE: A row between Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and teachers’ organisations intensified on Saturday after the minister refused to withdraw his controversial remarks alleging that some teachers were involved in theft of school property, examination cheating, chronic absenteeism and corruption, while teachers staged protests and demanded his removal from office.

Responding to the criticism, the minister said he stood by his statement and possessed evidence to substantiate his allegations, insisting that his remarks had been directed only at corrupt elements within the education department rather than the teaching community as a whole.

The controversy erupted after Mr Hayat, while speaking at a recent event, alleged that some teachers had stolen ceiling fans and other items from government schools and accused others of facilitating cheating in examinations or remaining absent from schools for years. His comments drew a strong reaction from teachers’ organisations across Punjab, which termed the remarks as insulting and defamatory for the teaching profession.

Teacher representatives held demonstrations in several districts and demanded that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz remove the minister from his portfolio.

Teachers protest in several districts; demand removal of minister

Union leaders said the minister had tarnished the image of hundreds of thousands of honest teachers by making sweeping allegations without distinguishing between individual offenders and the teaching community. They maintained that if any teacher was found involved in corruption or theft, action should be taken under the law against the individual rather than maligning the entire profession. They also demanded a public apology from the minister.

Responding to the protests, Mr Hayat said that he had spoken in a specific context and had documentary evidence to support his claims. “I stand by my statement. I have evidence for what I said and, if required, I can even disclose the names of the teachers concerned,” the minister said.

He alleged that only those whom his remarks had targeted had objected, adding that portions of his speech had been taken out of context and circulated on social media with mala fide intent. “My criticism was never directed at all teachers. My target is only those who are betraying the future of children and the state,” he said.

He questioned how he could defend teachers who, according to him, had become part of the “cheating mafia” or remained absent from schools for years.

Mr Hayat said damaging the public education system, compromising students’ future and eroding public confidence were “unforgivable acts”. He added that remaining absent from schools and depriving children of education also amounted to a betrayal of public trust.

Seeking to reassure the teaching community, the minister said that around 80 percent of teachers in Punjab were honest, hardworking and a matter of pride for the province. He paid tribute to ‘dedicated’ teachers and said the government fully supported them, but insisted that accountability of corrupt officials within the department could no longer be delayed. “We cannot leave the nation’s children at the mercy of bad teachers,” he said.

The minister also claimed that the Punjab government had initiated overseas training opportunities for outstanding teachers and argued that corruption could not be justified merely because the accused happened to belong to the teaching profession. He further alleged that some teachers were involved in examination irregularities and manipulation of board examination results, saying legal proceedings were already under way against such individuals.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026