"Teachers Induction in GB "

By Shahid Hussain Shehzada

Though the statements of Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah and Minister for education Dr Ali Madad Shair could not satisfy the candidates regarding their commitments about the free, fair and transparent recruitment in education department of GB. As a bulk of candidates expressed their reservations over settled criteria for hiring of BPS-14 teachers on the advertisements of local newspapers as it has been ignored. Couples of candidates have been recommended who do not meet the respective conditions.

Soon after the written test majority of candidates complained that various students appeared in the test on the basis of education diplomas which they brought from different parts of the country and it do not meet the settled rules of GB education department. While responding to these concerns education Minister and Secretary Education issued official stance on local newspapers and it was said that education department will verify all documents of appeared candidates but in practice they did not do so. These remained only media statements. Now recruitment process has been completed and those candidates are also appointed who do not meet the given rules. While education minister himself acknowledged in the floor of house during assembly secession that 10% mishandling occurred during the whole recruitment process. It means that more than 10% special favor has been bestowed to nears and dears.

How a common man will expect from the present PPP led government of GB about merit and fair induction of teachers into education department. As public is well aware about the recent recruitment of police constables whereby an impartial and fair recruitment team led by DIG Amjad who completed the hiring process while getting public appreciation. In the history of GB and even Pakistan, failed candidates chanted slogans in favour of DIG led team. While in education department candidates are still raising their voices about the violation of merit, and say that it was given space to nepotism and favoritism. These candidates are not ordinary people but are highly qualified and they are in a state of deprivation.

This is the reason that education department in GB is loosing its importance before public and public at large switched to private schools despite of paying heavy fees. When one meets common men in GB and ask about the performance of government schools and teachers. They say that political involvement is at its peak within the education department of Gilgit-Baltistan.Teachers appointment, posting and promotion is entirely dependent on political loyalty. Therefore parents take back their children from government schools and enrolled in private schools. To observe the ongoing situation in government schools within GB, there must be an impartial survey and should be compiled its findings of ignorance, corruption and mismanagement and also its impact on the upcoming generations. Politicians and bureaucrats will complete their turn but the existing and forthcoming generation will suffer and the fruits of progress and prosperity will be at stake.

Headlines of local newspapers are also full of candidates’ reservations over interview panel and they say that the deputy directors of the respective districts did not consider those candidates who did master as well as B.ed but recommended those who did BA and B.ed.This all happened because of political affiliations and the approach of other influential sources while the advertisements for the given posts said that priority would be given for master cum B.ed but it is violated.

Now great responsibility lies on Chief Minister, Education Minister, Chief Secretary, Education secretary and above all the members of legislative assembly of GB to remove the sense of deprivation of our educated youth and look the matter in their personal capacity to address the reservations of those candidates who are confident about their written test as well as interviews. Beyond that practical steps must be taken to verify the doubtful documents of appointed candidates and also review the given numbers for candidates by Deputy Directors (DD) of the respective districts during interviews.If DD’s found guilty then they must be given severe punishments so that the next administrator will not dare to do that.

The writer is free lance article writer based in Islamabad

Shahid.glt@gmail.com

                                           " Chains To be Broken"

By Shahid Hussain Shehzada

Situation in Gilgit-Baltistan is severe for the last few years and it affected badly the lives and properties of common man .Government generally and Aman (peace) Jirgha particularly failed to identify the miscreants who are repeatedly making the law and order paralysis. Basically there are chains in all walks of life. Among them some are silent spectacles and many more turned deaf ear to minimize the ongoing menace while few circles has made hostage both physically and mentally the natives of Gilgit city as well as Skardu.So these chains are to be broken. 

Now question arise here that public minds has been divided into chains. Some circles extended their moral cum psychological support towards religious ethos while others are defending the so called national parties and follow party dictations. Among them the aspect of ethnocentrism is at its peak. No one is ready to encourage his area fellows, though the trend of blame game has made their minds habitual to do so.

By observing the psychological clash over party politics, the miscreants from either sides who are in minority are engage to disturb the peace of Gilgit and Skardu.They do target killings and it causes reaction and death toll rates rises automatically from both sides.

Socialization of general public is not in right direction as socializing agencies are not realizing about the ongoing social disorder. Only one generation is governing public minds while rest of generation is getting socialization from their elders. Great responsibility lies on the teachers’ community to shape the minds of future generation before assuming governing responsibility. Side by side religious leaders has to cool down the engulf emotions of general public as well as the victims of target killings.

Above all, political hijackers must follow smooth policies and strategies to address the ongoing unrest and get rid from the blame game to ensure peace and stability in the region. Coordination among all ranks beyond grievances is need of an hour to make area prosperous and peaceful in the year to come. Apart from the dictations of party leadership to strengthen party roots in Gilgit-Baltistan, these hijackers must keep in mind the direction of Allah Almighty to make possible brotherhood and peace in the region.

Neither humanity nor Islam encourage a Muslim to keep involve himself physically as well as mentally in violent activities, then why these chains are silent spectacles and let the area a terrorize hit zone. To root out this menace  “chains to be broken” and coordination cum cooperation must be kept alive in all ranks beyond mutual conflicts.

Lastly public should cooperate with security agencies to arrest the wanted culprits and judiciary particularly make the miscreants accountable while giving them memorable punishments. So these steps will keep alarm the forth coming generation not do these inhuman acts to disturb the peace of Gilgit-Baltistan.There should be speedy justice but not delayed justice so that public will take an eternal relief in terms of peace.

The writer is Islamabad based free lance article writer.
shahid.glt@gmail.com