ISLAMABAD: A total of 80 teachers who were working at educational institutions in the capital under the wedlock policy are being repatriated to their parent departments in the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

The teachers, most of whom are women, have said they cannot return to their hometowns since their families have moved permanently to Islamabad. They have also questioned the timing of the decision, since educational institutions are closed around the country.

Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) Director General Syed Umair Javed said the decision was made in the best interest of the teachers, as they may not receive their pension and other benefits in the event of death because they have been working without no-objection certificates.

According to documents available with Dawn, the teachers were told they were being repatriated to their parent departments with immediate effect. They were also informed that they should report back to their parent departments, and will not be granted any travel or daily allowance in this regard.

Teachers say they would not be able to return to their hometowns after their children, spouses have moved to Islamabad

Copies of the letters have been sent to the Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press to be published in the Gazette of Pakistan.

A teacher who has been repatriated to Punjab told Dawn that it would not be possible for her to return to her hometown.

“I have three children studying in the capital. I have been living here for the last decade and a half, so my children have become used to the capital and its environment. They cannot live and study in a rural area,” she explained, adding: “I will resign if I am forced to go back to my native area.”

She added: “My husband works in the capital. How can I live in my native area alone? My parents have died and my brothers’ wives will never tolerate me.”

Mohammad Shafique Chaudhry, whose wife has been repatriated, said that in 2013 the prime minister had approved a summary under which teachers working under the wedlock policy would be absorbed in Islamabad.

“The then Capital Administration and Development Division secretary also approved it and it was decided to establish a Department Promotional Committee for the promotion of teachers. At that time 32 teachers from grade 14 were promoted to next scale but others who were in grades 7 to 13 could not be promoted,” he said.

He also asked how teachers would move to the provinces while their spouses work in the capital.

“It is unfortunate that the whole family system will collapse because of this decision. I believe that most teachers will have no choice but to resign, as they have permanently moved to Islamabad and cannot return to their native areas as their children are studying in the capital. It would also be a loss for educational institutions, which already face a shortage of teachers,” he said.

Mr Chaudhry questioned the timing of the decision, saying educational institutions are closed across the country.

Mr Javed from the FDE confirmed that the aforementioned summary was approved in 2013 but added that it was later revealed that a number of facts were ignored.

“The wedlock policy was made for federal government employees but later the word ‘or’ was included to accommodate the provinces. Teachers came on deputation and they then claimed that they wanted to avail the wedlock policy due to which we have not received the NOCs from their parents departments for many years,” he said.

He added that the Ministry for Federal Education contacted the teachers’ parents departments seeking extensions of NOCs but was refused.

“It was also observed that, in case of death, teachers’ families would not receive the pension or other benefits as there is no room in the law to work without an NOC. Factually, they have been absent from their parent departments for years,” he said.

Mr Javed added that this was the ideal time to repatriate staff, as educational institutions are closed and they can make moving arrangements.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2020