SWABI, Dec 22: Women teachers of non-formal schools have appealed to the government to clear the backlog of their salary before Eidul Azha. Sources said that some 238 women teachers had not been paid their salary since July 2006 because of the federal government’s failure to release the funds needed.

The teachers said that officials concerned had promised to pay them their dues well before Eid.

There are 238 non-formal schools in the district and more than 1,600 in the entire province. The teachers complained that none of their colleagues in the district had been paid their dues, while other staff members had regularly been receiving their salary, sources said.

“So far, about 10,000 children have been enrolled in these schools in the Swabi district and their number is increasing. But most of the teachers are unable to cope with financial problems and the delay in the payment of their salary is a major reason why they are leaving their jobs,” sources said.

“No one can remain motivated to work efficiently if he or she is not paid for his or her work,” said a teacher.

In a joint statement issued here on Friday, the affected teachers said they were being paid less than other education department employees. They said they were facing a grim situation as they got only Rs1,000 a month despite running schools in their own buildings, besides paying electricity bills and buying related accessories on their own.