Education woes of Chitral
Chitral --
Expectations have risen dramatically with the
way of working of the new EDO. Suddenly ghost
teachers have re-appeared in schools and
connected teachers detailed on desirable posts
have been asked to report for duty on their
original positions. Surprise inspections of
schools have given meaning to the exercise. But
alas, this change has been brought about by a
non-Chitrali and many of his predecessors, who
happened to be Chitrali, just confined
themselves to save their jobs and promote
cronyism.
A lot still needs to be done and perhaps more
fundamental changes have yet to take place and
the way the new EDO has handled himself so far,
one has reasons to believe that he will bring
holistic change in this vital area. The most
important challenge facing him is to make
Subject Specialists take classes in required
numbers. At present SS union is threatening
strikes if they are given more than two classes
in school and subjected to the control of the
Principal. It may be noted that pressure groups
are illegal in government service. Yet another
area of concern is the occupation of class rooms
by resident teachers and classes are taken in
verandas. Ironically these teachers are also
paid house rent. Can the new EDO be able to
eject them from this illegal occupation of class
rooms and recover house rent from them?
IUCN had gifted expensive resource centres to
promote conservation. Most of these centres are
located in Government schools but other schools
are entitled to use these facilities worth
millions of rupees. There are reasons to believe
that these have been pilfered and want are left
are in the use of resident teachers who have
turned them into private residences. An enquiry
ordered by the Prime Minister to stop teachers
from working in political parties, NGOs and
private businesses is hanging fire in EDO’s
office. The role of teachers in promoting
extremist views also needs to be addressed.
History will judge the EDO for his contributions
in all these areas. .--
CN report, 24 May 2011