The government-run primary schools in Khyber district are facing a severe academic crisis following the termination of teachers appointed through Parents-Teachers Council (PTC) funds, according to local teachers and parents.
Termination of PTC-Funded Teachers
President of Tanzeem-e-Asateza Khyber, Shairifullah Afridi, issued a press release on Wednesday stating that government boys' and girls' primary schools in the district were already struggling with a shortage of teaching staff. He added that the termination of hundreds of PTC-funded teachers would further worsen the academic situation and directly affect the learning process of thousands of students.
Impact on Education Quality
Afridi claimed that many primary schools in the district are currently operating with only two or three teachers, who are forced to teach multiple classes simultaneously. He argued that such conditions make it extremely difficult to provide quality education and achieve meaningful learning outcomes.
He criticized the government's claims of declaring an education emergency and improving the literacy rate, arguing that the persistent shortage of teachers at the primary level contradicts these objectives. "Quality education cannot be ensured when schools lack adequate teaching staff," he said.
Call for Action
Afridi also expressed disappointment that despite the fact that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs to Khyber District, local primary schools continue to suffer from a severe shortage of teachers. The association president urged the provincial government and the chief minister to take immediate notice of the issue and adopt practical measures to address the crisis.
The Teachers' Association Khyber demanded the permanent recruitment of teachers for all primary schools in the district and called for the deployment of at least six teachers in every school to ensure the provision of quality education to students.
