FDE delays female teachers’ promotion

Owing to the negligence of the high-ups of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the due promotions of 40 female teachers of BPS-9 to BPS-14, which were announced by the prime minister in 2010, were still lingering on.
“The PPP government is going to complete its tenure on Saturday, we again request DG FDE to take notice of this delay as we have been running from pillar to post for the last two and half years, but no one is ready to listen to our demands. We should be given our due promotion on Saturday as we have no idea what might be the policy of the next government,” said an elderly teacher who wished not to be named.
It is relevant to note here that the government had announced that FDE would remain open on Saturday, which was the last day of the incumbent government. Insiders said the government took this decision only to issue the appointment letters of hundreds of PPP supporters to adjusting them into various departments of FDE.
Apart from the 40, all male and female teachers associated with the FDE had been promoted and were getting increased salaries.
Teachers working in BPS-9 had been promoted to BPS-14, while those working in BPS-14 had been given grade 16. But owing to the negligence of FDE, 40 female teachers of BPS-9, despite meeting the criteria, were not being promoted.
“All of my colleagues were enjoying upgraded salaries but I have been ignored. I am being deprived of my right. There is an influential clerk in FDE and whenever I visit FDE the clerk tells me not to pursue the case,” said Nazia, a high school teacher.
Talking to Pakistan Today, another female teacher said that the FDE clerk, DGE and the school director was “busy in appointing their beloved and no one was paying any heed to our promotion case”.
Talking to Pakistan Today, the ‘influential clerk’ Sadiq Hussain said, “Yes, the files of teachers who are seeking promotions from BPS 9 to 14, are lying pending with me. But we have lots of other work to do. I will move these files when the DG will tell me to,” he said.
When contacted, FDE DG Shahnaz A Riaz said that she would look into the matter.
It is relevant to note here that last month, while talking to Pakistan Today on this issue, the DG had said, “I will personally look into the matter. Let me make it clear, female teachers will be given their due rights.”
However, nothing has happened so far. Talking to Pakistan Today, School Director Farzana Gondal said the work was being done and FDE would try to issue the notifications of the said teachers by Saturday.