Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat's remarks have sparked a fresh dispute between the provincial government and government school teachers after he accused some teachers of stealing government property and showing fake student enrolment.
Speaking at a teachers' ceremony in South Punjab, the minister said some government school teachers had taken fans and other government equipment to their homes. He also alleged that fake enrolment had been reported in certain government schools.
Teachers demand minister’s apology after remarks
The remarks prompted a strong reaction from teachers, with criticism spreading across social media. Government school teachers called on the minister to apologise, while some users said teachers often spend their own money to improve government schools. Others urged action only against individuals found responsible for wrongdoing.
Hayat stands by remarks, cites evidence against school mafias
Speaking to Samaa TV, Rana Sikandar Hayat said he stood by his remarks and had evidence to support his position. He said his department possessed lists of teachers allegedly involved in fake enrolment, theft and cheating mafias operating in government schools.
The minister said his remarks referred to around 20 per cent of allegedly corrupt teachers and were not directed at the entire teaching community.
The controversy has placed teachers and the Punjab government at odds, with calls for either the publication of evidence against the accused teachers or an apology to the wider teaching community.
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