RAWALPINDI, Nov 30: The crisis of teachers’ shortage in the schools affiliated with the Punjab government has worsened after the executive district officer (EDO), Education, transferred 141 teachers from Rawalpindi Tehsil to other stations.

According to sources in education directorate, 60 teachers from grade 11 to 18 in the high and higher secondary schools, and 81 elementary school teachers were transferred to Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Kotli Satian, Murree and Taxila.

They said the step was taken because 81 elementary schools in different Tehsils had only one teacher, whereas 38 high schools were also facing similar problem. But, these transfers have worsened the situation in Rawalpindi Tehsil.

There is severe shortage of teachers in all the high, higher secondary, middle and primary schools because no appointment has been made for the last eight years due to a ban on fresh recruitments.

According to sources, about 114 posts, specially in science and mathematics departments, are lying vacant in the high and higher secondary schools, whereas 50 teachers have been hired on contract basis.

However, they added that more than 1000 new teachers were required at the high, and higher secondary level, as no new inductions were made during the last eight years to replace those retired. About 10 schools don’t even have one permanent teacher.

Similarly, the elementary schools for boys are facing a shortage of 900 teachers — about 500 senior teachers for the middle schools and 400 PTC teachers for primary institutions. In girl schools about 875 posts are lying vacant.

The transfer orders of the women teachers were ‘held in abeyance till further orders’ by the District Nazim, Tariq Kiani, after strong protests from the former.

The teachers’s union leaders have taken strong exception to the transfers at a time when annual examinations are just round the corner. They termed this decision as injudicious on part of the education authorities. Teachers are getting meagre salaries and transferring them to far-off stations will increase their financial problems, they added.

Most of the teachers have been transferred to Murree, which is in more need of teaching staff compared to Rawalpindi, the official sources said.

The EDO was not available for comments. When asked about the en masse transfers, the district Nazim said, “these are a routine matter. Even then, I have directed the EDO to hold the transfer orders of women teachers in abeyance. It is Ramazan. They have to look after their families and carry out other domestic obligations.”