ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: The seniority list of college teachers issued by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) last week is full of errors and has created confusion among hundreds of lecturers and professors, Dawn has learnt.

It may be noted that the directorate issued the list after over four years. However, the teachers said the seniority list was full of dichotomy. On the one hand, it was notified that if there was any objection the teacher concerned should bring it to the notice of the authority by November 20, but on the other the notification said the seniority list was final.

A large number of teachers objected to the statement that, “The seniority list is final and no representation will be entertained.” Everyone has the right to raise objections and send representatives for his grievances, they maintained.

The seniority list circulated among colleges in the capital city is replete with errors. For example, the name of Fidaul Mustafa, a lecturer in chemistry, is not included in the list. It means that he is not an employee of the government of Pakistan.Similarly, the name of Hafiz Mohammad Umer, a lecturer in Islamic Studies, is shown at serial No 4 and his name again appears at serial No 82. He is also shown holding the domiciles of both Sindh and Balochistan.

It is important to note that according to the seniority rules 2003, if a teacher is promoted to BPS-18 and another is appointed in the same grade through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) the same year, the former (promotee) would be treated as a senior.

In the latest seniority list, however, Deedar Ali, Syed Zair Hussain, Liaquat Ali, Mian Amjad Ali, Mukhtar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Yousuf Khan and Jamshed Khan Khattak have been shown as junior to Nadeem Abbas, who was appointed through the FPSC.

These teachers said they had raised the objection and even given presentation in the FDE against the seniority of the FPSC selectee but to no avail.

One of the assistant professors while objecting to the seniority of Dr Akbar Azam in BPS-19 said: “He was on deputation for many years in another department so according to rules he cannot be promoted to the next grade until he earns one-year’s ACR in his parent department.”

Another teacher said: “Seniority of a teacher is a very sensitive issue.

The seniority lists should not be prepared carelessly.

The director colleges should realise his responsibilities and give an opportunity of representation to the aggrieved teachers.”

When contacted, Mehmood Akhtar Malik, the director dolleges at the FDE, said there can be some errors in the seniority list and that is why “we have asked the teachers to inform FDE by November 20.”

He said the teachers can even approach the FDE about any error till December 23. “I will defiantly resolve all such issues,” he added.