PTU ends protest on Sunday over successful negotiations

Lahore:  The 32 hour long protest of government sector school teachers against the government’s step of privatization of schools in front of Punjab Assembly at Charing Cross, Lahore ended after successful negotiations along with government authorities. They had dispersed at midnight however, they resumed their protest on Sunday morning.

As per the details, government school teachers had been protesting since Saturday against the delays in the up gradation of school teachers, the change in centre of merit policy, Punjab Education Foundation, the handing over of government schools to the Danish school management as well as on the punishments on examination results.

The participants of that protest had carried placards as well as banners along with slogans against the decision of government.

Schools Education Minister Rana Mashhood said that the government had convinced the angry teachers to end the protest. He furthermore said that there had been a misunderstanding that the government was privatizing schools.

“We have accepted the legitimate demands of Punjab teachers Union and also assured them that no school will be privatized and also no teacher will be fired,” Education Minister said.

The discussions were held along with the leaders of the Teachers Union (PTU) by Additional Secretary Education Muhammad Akhtar on advice of Education Minister.

Rana Mashhood said that only those schools showing bad performance were being handed over to the Punjab Education Foundation and the Daanish School System. HE also added that this step was expected to improve the performance of these schools. Mashhood also said that a delegation of Education Department would meet union representatives on Wednesday for more discussion on this issue.

Central president of Punjab Teachers Union Syed Sajjad Kazmi said the government had agreed to meet their legitimate demands. He said that Minister for education had assured the union that no school would be privatized.

The teachers, who had arrived from various regions of Punjab, ended their protest in high spirits after knowing that their demands had been accepted by the officials of government as they assurances that their demands would be implemented.

Protesters scattered after the talks while Mall road was once again opened for traffic after almost 32 hours.