Unpaid Examination Duties Female Government Teachers in Islamabad Demand Justice

Female teachers working in government schools and colleges across Islamabad are voicing strong protest over four years of unpaid examination and marking duties. These educators, assigned various responsibilities under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), have not received a single rupee for their labor—including the already low Rs150 per day honorarium.

A Deepening Financial Crisis

Amid rising inflation and growing household expenses, many teachers say the situation has become economically unsustainable. Not only were they expected to perform exam duties without compensation, but they also had to bear out-of-pocket expenses such as:

• Transporting exam papers and materials

• Purchasing sealing wax, thread, and packing cloth

• Providing their own stationery

“Given the current inflation, this is a heavy burden. The FDE hasn’t paid me a single rupee,” shared a teacher from IMCB I-8/3, who reportedly spent Rs3,000 daily on transportation for 15 days every year.

Cost Breakdown for Exam Duty (Approximate Figures)

Teachers’ Voices: "This Isn’t Just About Money"

Educators say the issue transcends financial neglect. It's about fairness, dignity, and acknowledgment.

Key Concerns Raised:

• The Rs150 daily rate is insufficient—even insulting.

• No reimbursement for transport or materials.

• No communication or timelines from FDE about delayed payments.

• Multiple complaints submitted—no action taken.

“If the government expects us to work with integrity, it must at least honor its commitments, no matter how small the amount,” one teacher remarked.

FDE’s Silence: A Pattern of Neglect?

Despite the numerous formal complaints submitted over the years, the FDE’s Academic Cell has failed to act, according to affected teachers. They claim:

• Repeated false assurances have been made

• No official record of acknowledgment or resolution exists

• Academic duties were assigned yearly without addressing previous dues

One teacher emphasized,

“I marked answer sheets for the centralized Class VIII exams but got nothing in return. No transport, no materials, and now no payment—this is how the FDE operates.”

What Teachers Are Demanding

Teachers are now urging Federal Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani to take immediate, personal action. Their core demands include:

Immediate Action Plan

• Release of all pending payments from the past four years

• Revision of the daily honorarium rate in line with inflation

• Transport and material reimbursement policy implementation

• Establishment of a transparent tracking system for future exam-related duties and payments

Recommendations for FDE

Recognizing the Backbone of Education

The plight of these female government teachers in Islamabad is a glaring example of how public sector responsibilities are often taken for granted. These educators are the backbone of the education system, ensuring fair and smooth examination processes—without whom academic integrity would collapse.

If Pakistan is to honor its commitment to quality education and gender equity, the Federal Directorate of Education must act now—not just to pay dues but to restore trust, respect, and dignity to its educators.