KP teachers to shut down primary education across province

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa All-Primary Teachers Association (APTA) has taken a bold step by announcing the closure of all 22,000 boys and girls primary schools across the province, starting today, until their demands are met.

The sit-in protest, scheduled at Jinnah Park, Peshawar, on November 5 at 1 pm, will continue indefinitely until the government meets its demands.

Female teachers will also participate in this protest, demonstrating their unity and commitment to securing their rights. The Education Department has deemed the school closures a challenge to the government’s authority and plans to take action against the teachers involved.

However, APTA Provincial President Azizullah stated that the K-P minister for education had invited them for negotiations, and they are open to positive dialogue.

Earlier in October, APTA officially announced that starting from November 5, they would close down 26,000 boys and girls’ schools across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa until their demands are met. Their intention to hold a sit-in protest at Jinnah Park was also announced at the time.

The meeting of APTA’s provincial officials was held at their provincial secretariat, chaired by its president Azizullah Khan.

The key demands of the teachers’ association include Official notification for teachers’ upgradation, Regularisation of 13,500 teachers, Reinstatement of previously forced promotions, Reinstatement of the Fargo Option, Prevention of primary school privatization, and ensuring class-wise teacher appointments at every primary school.

Additionally, the Creation of senior primary school teacher posts with position codes in merged districts and the inclusion of teachers regularised under the 2022 Act in the General Provident Fund.