LARKANA: Over 1400 Primary School Teachers (PSTs), BPS-14, recruited on merit in 1st batch after IBA Sukkur test are still without monthly salaries despite passage of seven long months due to which their families are starving, PPI learnt Sunday.
These PSTs were appointed by the Deputy Director (Admin), Primary School Education Department, Larkana Region, on 28th March 2022 in entire Larkana district’s four taluka which also include males, females, disables and minority quota people. Many of them left their previous jobs with the hope that their jobs will be secure in the government and they will be paid through online system on first of every month which include their life savings despite very low salaries as compared to others.
The training of first batch of 150 male and female candidates has also commenced at Government Elementary College (Male) Larkana and their second batch is at present undergoing teachers training. The candidates who appeared at the training complained that Sindh Government has not paid any TA/DA for the training which is beyond understanding as they have not been paid any monthly salary since seven months hence they are already hands to mouth.
They said that for the training no stationary has been given which was given to the first batch candidates for which they made a complaint to the Principal who replied that he has not yet been able to receive the amount of first batch stationary then how can he procure the same for the students of second batch.
They said manual was given on 11th day of the training which shows the seriousness of the education department bosses. They further alleged that many PSTs have been posted far from their residences on political interference and influence basis which will create hindrances in future and amounts to step-motherly treatment by the administration which is highly condemned.
They said that sheer negligence in disbursement of monthly salaries among the merit based students will complicate issues faced by the education department and deprive students of their right to education as they have already submitted their all documents. They said primary teaching is the backbone of entire education system but they are being neglected for lethargic attitude of others. They also held a large protest demo a day earlier at Jinnah Bagh demanding outstanding payment of monthly salaries.
The PSTs demanded immediate payment of their monthly salaries and appointment to other merit based candidates in second batch including females to end unrest among them. Gul Sher Soomro, District Education Officer (Primary) who is also holding the charge of the Deputy Director had said earlier told PPI that the monthly salaries will be disbursed in January 2023 to the newly appointed teachers as the work is in progress.