KARACHI, Jan 31: The summary forwarded by the Sindh Education Department for regularization of over 6,500 primary teachers some three months back has not yet been given approval by Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim , causing concern among these teachers.

The contracts of these teachers, who were appointed in 2001, were expired in November 2004 but they were not asked to continue although Sindh Education Minister Hamida Khuhro had publicly lauded the role and services of these teachers in promotion of education and performing with sense of dedication.

On protest of these teachers, who were not paid salaries of November 2004, the education minister had forwarded a summary to the chief minister for regularizing these teachers.

Though the teachers were asked to continue their service, owing to non-approval of the summary these contractual teachers have been facing immense hardships as they were not being paid monthly salary.

An official of the provincial education department when contacted said these teachers were hired after following the prescribed criteria, holding of written tests and interviews and their performance was also satisfactory for the authorities.

He said, "They (teachers) have been asked to continue as a summary for regularizing them has been forwarded to the chief minister. Although the chief minister has not yet approved it, it is hoped that they would be regularized soon," he added.

On the question of salaries, the official said that Sindh Finance Department had stopped their salaries they were awaiting approval from the chief minister. After approval from the authorities, all their dues would be paid. -PPI