Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Teachers Threaten Education Shutdown Over Unmet Demands

Teachers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are planning a complete shutdown of 26,000 schools due to unmet demands, including senior staff promotions and pension reforms. Protests have been initiated across the province, with educators emphasizing the need for dialogue despite stalled discussions with government officials.

In a pressing move, teachers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are mobilizing protests that threaten to disrupt the education system by shutting down over 26,000 institutions. Their demands include the promotion of senior staff, the elimination of the contributory pension fund, and the cessation of government school privatization.

The All Primary Teachers Association (APTA) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa declared that if their demands remain unmet by October 30, a protest would unfold in Peshawar on November 5, effectively halting primary school operations. This comes following protests across the province, led by Azizullah Khan, APTA's provincial president, emphasizing the teachers' commitment to dialogue despite stalled negotiations.

Azizullah Khan pointed out that the approved promotions, set to be enforced since July 1, 2023, have been delayed due to inflated cost estimates by the finance department. Teachers are also advocating for class-specific appointments, a reduction in primary student books, and legislative action to ensure adherences to teacher transfers. The urgency of their demands is underscored by a massive planned protest if concessions are not made.

(With inputs from agencies.)