BAHAWALPUR: Teachers across Punjab took to the streets on World Teachers’ Day on Saturday, demanding a reversal of privatisation policies in the education sector and the restoration of pension benefits.

Demonstrations were held in Lodhran, Okara, Faisalabad, and Sahiwal, where teachers condemned the outsourcing of public schools and other government policies they believe are detrimental to the education system and their rights.

Teachers observed the day as a “black day,” voicing their concerns through rallies, sit-ins, and road blockades, while calling for reforms that would safeguard the future of public education in Pakistan.

In Lodhran, government school teachers marched through the streets in protest of the new policies. They demanded changes to government regulations regarding their profession and associated facilities. At the same time, a ceremony was held to honour teachers, where 57 teachers from Lodhran district were awarded commendation certificates for their good performance.

These awards were presented by Additional Deputy Commissioner Asad Ali and education department officials.

OKARA: Hundreds of male and female teachers from higher and secondary schools gathered in front of the Press Club to protest against the privatisation of public schools under the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).

Led by the Punjab Teachers Union (PTU) and Headmasters Association, the protesters argued that privatising schools would make education unaffordable for low-income families, especially in rural areas. The teachers, wearing black armbands, vowed to continue their sit-in until the government restores the earlier pension policy and halts the privatisation process.

The protest was led by Mahr Pervaiz, Mahr Mukhtar, and the women’s wing president, Dr Kasur Bhatti. Acting District Education Authority Chief Muhammad Arshad Jutt also addressed the demonstrators.

TOBA TEK SINGH: In Faisalabad, hundreds of government school teachers observed World Teachers’ Day as a “black day” and blocked major roads at Zilla Council Chowk.

The demonstrators shouted slogans against the chief minister and prime minister, demanding the withdrawal of the government’s decision to outsource schools and a call to regularise teachers employed on contracts.

Traffic was disrupted as the teachers expressed their frustration with the government’s education policies.

SAHIWAL: The Grand Teacher Alliance (GTA) held a protest rally that moved from Azadi Chowk to the Press Club. Observing the day as a “black day”, protesters condemned the privatisation of primary and middle schools, calling it a policy that would harm both the education system and teachers’ rights.

The GTA also demanded the reversal of changes in pension rules and leave encashment policies, and threatened to escalate their protests, warning of a province-wide school shutdown if their demands were not met.

The teachers carried banners that criticised the government’s approach, comparing it to countries where education remains a state responsibility.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2024