Balochistan Minister for Education, Maulana Abdul Wahid Siddiqui has warned the Government Teachers Association (GTA) to immediately end its hunger strike otherwise strict legal action would be taken.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he called the teachers' hunger strike as unjust and said that the government was making all out efforts to solve the their problem.
"We are, however, unable to take steps in the cases of corruption as the matter was under consideration of the trial court," he said and advised the teachers to prove their innocence in the court.
About the demands of the GTA, Maulana Siddiqui said the government had taken concrete measures to meet them.
"We have regularised and promoted 138 SSTs, which have been awaiting for promotion since 1990, while another 30 SSTs would be promoted to Grade-17 shortly", he informed.
Selection grades for SSTs were issued and the seniority lists of the teachers working in other categories were also being compiled by the department, he maintained.
Special quota for teachers' sons in Teachers Training Institute (TTI) had been allocated, he informed and added that the matter of according BPS-7 to the Muslims was also under consideration.
"We have also demanded of the Finance Department to pay Rs 1,000 as utility allowance to teachers and Rs 500 as rural allowance to female teachers performing duties in rural areas", the minister said.
He said that the appointment of contract Mualim-ul-Quran in primary schools on regular basis and payment of Rs 500 to them instead of Rs 250 had also been recommended.
"Establishment of Elementary Colleges in Nasirabad, Zhob and Sibi has been included in 2004-05 PSDP and the problems being faced by professors and lecturers have been sent to concerned departments for necessary action", the minister said.
"Instructions have also been issued to all EDOs about service books and GP funds of teachers and clerical staff," he maintained.