Lecturers and professors start protests
March 26: Lecturers and Professors across Gilgit – Baltistan have started a token protest against non-fulfillment of demands. According to a press statement, the teachers will tie black ribbons on their arms to symbolically protest against the government’s inaction.
It is pertinent to note that the GBPLA had last week threatened that a token protest will be launched if their demands were not met. If the demands still remain unmet, the PLA had threatened that the lecturers and professors would boycott the classes and paralyze the education system.
Some of the major demands of the PLA relate to prioritizing merit and seniority for promotion and appointments on different positions, including principals of colleges and two vacant positions at the education directorate. The PLA is also demanding establishment of an independent examination board in Gilgit -Baltistan. According to officials of the GBPLA, lecturers and professors are waiting for their promotion for the last one year, which is affecting their motivation level.
Other demands of the PLA include declaration of the far flung regions as “hard areas” and approval of the “Time Scale” criteria.
