291 sacked UNHCR-backed school teachers stage sit-in in Peshawar, demand compensation

PESHAWAR: A total of 291 teachers of UNHCR-supported schools, who taught Afghan refugee children, staged a sit-in on Tuesday outside the agency’s office in Speen Jamaat against their dismissal. The sacked teachers include 191 women. The protesters demanded compensation and recognition of their years of service.

The protest was led by Tufail Ahmed and Farhana Durrani, who represented the women teachers. According to Tufail Ahmed, the teachers devoted nearly four decades to educating refugee children, but were dismissed on 31 October without prior notice or financial support.

Farhana Durrani said she had taught Afghan children for 35 years and her job was ended by a telephone call. She said this had caused her deep grief.

The teachers said they had taught in refugee camp schools for decades, but were denied several benefits, including a medical allowance, financial perks and gratuity. They said the sudden dismissal had left 291 families facing financial uncertainty, especially women and elderly teachers.

The protesters complained that they had visited the office repeatedly, but nobody listened to them and no responsible officer came out to talk to them. They alleged that the office was closed to them, police were deployed outside and they were even warned of a baton charge.

The affected teachers come from several Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Timergara, Kohat, Chakdara, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, Thall, Jalala and Sher Garh. Some elderly women also came from far-flung areas.

The teachers appealed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to act on the matter and play a role in providing financial help to the affected families. They announced that they would continue their peaceful protest until their demands were accepted.