A new alliance of teachers’ unions and associations from across the country held its inaugural session at the Government Muslim High School in Civil Lines on Sunday.
The alliance, the Muttahida Mahaaz-i-Assataza Pakistan, also elected its central executive.
President of the Punjab School Education Service Teachers Association Rana Sultan Mahmood Akhtar was elected chief patron and Muhammad Nawaz Jeetak, leader of the Balochistan Teachers Union, was elected as chairman. Vice president of the Sindh Primary Teachers’ Association, Sikandar Jatoi was elected general secretary.
Representatives said the alliance spoke for more than 800,000 teachers from across the country. Jatoi said the meeting had helped synergise efforts for welfare of teachers across the country.
He said he provincial governments should improve teachers’ pays and improve their benefits in accordance with their educational qualifications.
Mahmood told The Express Tribune that the alliance aimed at building bridges between various teachers’ associations and working for the welfare of all teachers.
“We expect the government to work towards providing teachers job security and professional growth,” he said.
Regarding the formation of district education authorities, he said all unions and teachers’ organisations in the province were on the same wavelength.
“After a series of protest demonstrations last year, the government has delayed their formation but not entirely wrapped it up,” he said.
He said if the teachers’ fraternity was further pressured, a country-wide strike would be considered.
The alliance decided to hold district-level meetings across the country under provincial wings of the alliance.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2014.