HEC set a deadline of January 15 to finalize a unified service structure
In Islamabad, a Senate panel issued directives on Friday to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to finalize a standardized service structure by January 15, aiming to resolve the predicament of university teachers operating under the Basic Pay Scale (BPS) system.
Chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training deliberated various agenda items, notably addressing the concerns of BPS teachers who had recently protested outside the HEC premises, advocating for their service structure.
Prompted by Senator Sadia Abbasi’s Senate session query about the absence of a service structure and promotion policy for BPS system-based university teachers, the committee engaged in discussions. HEC officials informed the panel about their active efforts in resolving the issue, leading Senator Irfan Siddiqui to instruct the HEC to conclude this work and present a comprehensive report by January 15.
Regarding the regularization of daily-wage college teachers in Islamabad, the committee was apprised that 137 teachers had received regularization notifications, while recommendations for 223 teachers who had cleared the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) examination awaited cabinet approval.
Acting education secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani pledged swift approval of a summary in the upcoming cabinet meeting, ensuring the timely regularization of these teachers. The committee learned that daily-wage teachers were receiving Rs32,000 per month.
In the meeting, the acting vice-chancellor of the Federal Urdu University discussed salary disbursements and the proposed relocation of the university’s principal seat to Islamabad, citing financial constraints as a hurdle. Senator Siddiqui urged HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed to scrutinize legal aspects in collaboration with the ministry to address these concerns.
The committee voiced opposition to relocating the principal seat to Islamabad, highlighting legal intricacies. HEC chairman attributed financial challenges to malpractices in the university administration’s recruitment and promotion and underscored insufficient government grants.
Peira chairperson Zia Batool briefed the committee on the organization’s operations, staff, and finances. Members raised concerns about the scarcity of qualified teachers in private institutions, unwarranted fee hikes, and inadequate staff salaries. The chairperson clarified that private institutions could annually raise fees by a maximum of five percent as per a high court decision.
Senator Siddiqui directed that the authority present a comprehensive report in the next meeting, detailing actions taken to address teachers’ training and the regulation of private educational institutions.
Regarding the public petition concerning facilities for physically challenged children in educational institutions, the HEC chairman informed the committee that special ramps had been installed in universities. He said steps had been taken to provide all necessary facilities during exams and classes.