Akbar Ali Akbar, President of the Government Teachers Association (GTA) Balochistan Kech, has accused the government of spreading false information about absentee teachers to discredit educators and discourage public trust in government schools.
In a recent meeting with a group of teachers, GTA President Akbar Ali Akbar voiced serious concerns about the current government’s decision to suspend alleged absentee teachers. He accused the authorities of allegedly spreading false information about absentee teachers to tarnish the reputation of educators and discourage the public from sending their children to government schools.
He claimed that every new government in Balochistan targets teachers, schools, doctors, and hospitals for cheap publicity because these sectors have a direct connection with the public. He acknowledged that while these sectors are not without flaws, the lack of resources is primarily the government’s responsibility.
The GTA president recalled an incident from 2020-21, where 114 teachers in Kech were reportedly dismissed without proper justification. He said that the GTA Balochistan and Kech launched a movement, during which he personally went on a hunger strike to get the suspended teachers reinstated. He said that despite their reinstatement by the BAP government and their current active duty, the department allegedly published the same report four years later, claiming the dismissal of the same 114 teachers due to absenteeism.
Akbar Ali Akbar argued that such statements aim to discredit teachers and government schools, spread public despair, and push for hiring on contracts and privatizing schools.
He also urged teachers to view their profession not just as a job but as a movement and national duty. He advised them to perform their duties with honesty and dedication to prevent bureaucrats or government officers from propagating absenteeism. He emphasized that the GTA Balochistan would never support non-duty but would defend teachers who perform their duties.
Akbar Ali Akbar also highlighted the severe shortage of teachers in schools across Balochistan, with over 16,000 positions reportedly vacant out of a total of approximately 65,000. He attributed this situation to the government rather than the teachers.
He noted that 85% of students in government schools come from families struggling to afford even one meal a day. He urged the government to address and resolve the issues faced by teachers and schools to improve the educational journey.
He condemned political interference and politically motivated transfers in the education department, announcing that the GTA Balochistan district council would convene a meeting to strategize and plan a strong protest against this issue.