FDE facing a multitude of problems

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) is facing several challenges which need to be addressed on a priority basis.

First of all, the FDE has not had a permanent head for a year now and is being run by the chairperson of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) on a temporary basis and despite directives in this regard issued by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif last year, the government is yet to appoint an executive director for the organisation.

Schools and colleges under the administrative control of the FDE are facing a shortage of teachers and according to documents of FDE and the Capital Administration and Development Division, there is a need for about 2,300 teachers but no decision has been taken in regards to recruiting these teachers.

Furthermore, in a recent decision, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) termed the appointment of daily wage teachers illegal and no decision has been taken in regards to the fate of around 1,000 daily wage teachers in light of the high court verdict.

According to sources, a meeting for evolving a mechanism in regards to daily wage employees has been postponed three times due to the unavailability of the CADD minister.

The FDE is also short on staff in the directorate, where several teachers work on administrative positions.

Peira Chairman Hasnat Qureshi has brought about some changes in the FDE. Three new directorates have joined the FDE, there is better attendance of teachers in schools and colleges and the standard of education has also improved. But there is still need for a permanent head for the directorate.

The FDE is also faced with a lot of litigation from teachers and it is said that over 200 cases are pending before various courts, and many of these cases are by teachers for promotions and seniority. The litigation issues are also affecting teacher performance. Computer lab in-charges in various schools do not have the same grade, with some serving in grade 7 and others in grade 12 because there are no rules and regulations for lab in-charges.

“A decrease in litigation has been witnessed in my tenure and we will be holding a meeting on Monday to decide on the daily wage teachers issue in light of the IHC orders,” said acting FDE DG, Hasnat Qureshi.

He said a mechanism for the recruitment of daily wage employees in grade 1 through to 15 will be drafted and they will be asked to apply to the posts in open competition but they will be given grace marks and age relaxation. Teachers in grade 16 and above will be asked to apply through the Federal Public Service Commission as directed by the IHC, he added.

University teachers’ convention

Elected representatives of university faculties and members of the civil society agreed unanimously on bringing reforms in the higher education sector and the implementation of the 18th amendment in the higher education sector.

They demanded that the role of the federal Higher Education Commission (HEC) be confined to the formulation of standards, enhancing the role of provincial governments in the funding and implementation of higher education policies.

The decision was reached during an all Pakistan university teacher’s convention on academic and administrative reforms in universities hosted by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association at the National Library Auditorium.

The convention was attended by elected representatives of university faculties from across the country, members of the civil society and some senators. The themes of the convention included academic freedom, university autonomy, the 18th amendment, higher education and public interest. The event was presided over by Senator Usman Kakar, chairman Senate Functional Committee on Less Developed Areas.

Demands by university teachers included ensuring academic freedom, the autonomy of universities, taking representatives of faculty, students and relevant citizens on board all statutory bodies of the universities, among others.

They also demanded that the International Islamic University should also be given representation in its decision making forums.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2017