Agitating primary teachers ordered to join work

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has directed striking primary assistant teachers to immediately call off their ongoing strike and examination boycott and return to work. 

Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, the Code of Conduct, and relevant provisions of criminal law against those engaged in activities deemed anti-disciplinary.

A notification to this effect was issued on Wednesday afternoon by Senior Information Officer Abdullah Shibli Sadiq on behalf of the ministry.

The notice stated that the teachers’ key demands—including upgradation of their salary to Grade 11 and two related issues—have already been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration for consideration. Furthermore, the Adviser for Primary and Mass Education has personally discussed the matter with the Finance Adviser and the Chairman of the Pay and Services Commission. 

An earlier formal request had also been sent to the Pay Commission Chairman seeking Grade 11 status for 364 assistant teachers.

Despite these steps, the ministry said, certain teachers’ organisations continue to disrupt the ongoing annual primary school examinations. 

In several areas, teachers willing to conduct the exams have reportedly been attacked and publicly humiliated.

The notification described such actions as “unacceptable” and warned that programmes that jeopardise the education and future of young children violate government service rules, breach the code of conduct for public servants, and are punishable offences under criminal law.