KARACHI, April 13: The principal of a women’s college in North Karachi was removed from her post with immediate effect for suspending teaching activity. She was charged with laying off ad-hoc teachers without prior approval from the higher authorities and asking more than 750 girls enrolled in the college to stay home and collect their admit cards before the intermediate examination.

The action was taken by Director General (Colleges) Sindh Dr Mohammad Ali Shaikh after a surprise visit to the college on Friday morning.

Dr Shaikh found Principal Ms Najma Nighat of Government Degree College for Women, Sector 11-I in North Karachi, absent from duty.

There was no student present while the college building wore a deserted look, according to a statement issued by the DG Sindh Colleges’ office.

The principal laid off the cooperative teachers on March 31, 2007 and suspended teaching. She was directed to reappoint the teachers to complete the academic session but she said she was unable to do so because the funds allocated to the college were used up.

An inquiry was initiated against her for not obeying orders. The probe will also investigate whether there was any misappropriation of funds.

The official has only been removed and transferred back to her former position as associate professor in Government Degree College for Women, Block M, North Nazimabad. Any action against her would depend on the inquiry report.

As the official was not a permanent principal and working as in-charge Principal of the college, the senior most teacher, Munawar Begum, has been given charge of principal of the North Karachi college until a regular principal has appointed.

The DG Colleges ordered restoration of services of all cooperative teachers till the end of the academic session cancelling the orders issued by the former in-charge Principal.