ISLAMABAD: While the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) advertised posts of male and female teachers separately, the mid-academic session transfer of male teachers from the federal government (F.G.) colleges to girls’ colleges and other model colleges has raised concern among teachers.

They cited the department’s lack of authority to transfer male lecturers to female colleges.

Sources reveal that six teachers from Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8 have been reassigned to various institutions, including three to girls’ colleges such as Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) I-8/3 and I-14/3.

An assistant professor was sent to Islamabad College for Boys (ICB) G-6/3 (part of the Model College setup). Similarly, three male teachers from Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB) Sihala have been transferred to IMCG Humak. Another case involves three teachers from IMCB F-10/4, one of whom has been posted to IMCG F-7/4 and another to IMCG I-8/3. Additionally, two teachers from H-9 College have been moved to model colleges.

Male teachers have expressed strong reservations about being transferred to girls’ colleges, stating that their appointments were for boys’ colleges.

“We were appointed for male colleges as FPSC advertised posts of male teachers and after decades now we have been sent to female colleges,” said a teacher on condition of anonymity.

The timing of these transfers - in the middle of the academic session - has also drawn criticism. Students develop an understanding with their teachers over time, and introducing new teachers in the mid-session will create unnecessary challenges and disrupt the learning process, which will affect their grades, the teacher said.

“We have been transferred under the term ‘temporary duty’, which is unclear and not recognised under the Appointment, Promotion, and Transfer (APT) rules of the government. No duration for this temporary duty (stopgap arrangement) has been specified, leaving us in a limbo. Moreover, transferring teachers from F.G. colleges to model colleges is also considered unlawful, as both setups operate under distinct recruitment rules,” another teacher said.

“The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the controlling authority, has historically treated these setups separately, even submitting separate requisitions to the Federal Public Service Commission for appointments of teachers,” the teacher said, suggesting merging the seniority of both setups to facilitate lawful transfers.

Meanwhile, some parents have also expressed their concerns over the transfers.

Mohammad Akram, a father of a student at one of the girls’ colleges, while sharing his reservations, said: “Personally, I do not feel comfortable with this arrangement. Many girls, like my daughter, wear hijab, and I believe it is crucial to maintain a comfortable environment for our daughters.”

Prof Farhan Azam, former senior vice president of the Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA), highlighted additional challenges.

“IMCB Sihala, for instance, is already grappling with shortage of faculty. A retired professor is teaching physics as no regular teacher is available. The college also lacks essential staff, including an accountant, librarian, and chowkidar, with only one lab assistant managing both science and computer labs. Despite these issues, the college remains on the top among F.G. colleges in the federal board results,” Prof Azam said.

He stressed the need to address the dire state of affairs at institutions like IMCB Sihala, which caters to financially-underprivileged students from rural Islamabad.

“Instead of transferring teachers, the focus should be on resolving the pressing challenges these colleges face,” he added.

Dawn approached the education secretary and FDE director general but could not get any response till the filing of this story.

However an official of the ministry, wishing not to be named, said it was a temporary arrangement to address the issue of unavailability of subject teachers in female colleges.

“Once female teachers are recruited or alternative arrangements are made, male teachers will be sent back to their institutions,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2024