Teachers with bleeding feet, keep marching

Rafiullah Mandokhail

ZHOB: Dozens of teachers with bleeding feet have kept marching on foot towards provincial capital Quetta even in freezing cold here. The ‘Asatiza Itehad Balochistan’ teachers started their long and arduous journey on February 20 and after covering 150 kilometers on foot reached neighboring Killa Saifullah district, where they staged a protest demonstration. Teachers from Killa Saifullah also joined them.

On their arrival, Medical Superintendent DHQ hospital Dr. Akther Mandokhail received the teachers at entry point. Advisor to CM Mutha Khan Kakar while addressing the protest demo held in Killa Saifullah assured them of support. The marchers are expected to reach the provincial capital Quetta by March 3rd. The nation builders are taking painkiller pills to make them numb to the pain. They have to cover a stretch of over 300 kilometers on foot to knock at the door of the provincial government, if their demands were not accepted. Advocate Balochistan High Court Samad Khan Mandokhail also met the teachers and assured them of full support.

Ex-president Government Teachers Association (GTA) Zhob Fateh Khan Mandokhail, who has swollen feet and bruises on his legs, told correspondent Rafiullah Mandokhail that their injured feet will be etched on their minds. “The use of delaying tactics and red-tapism approach of the authorities causing unrest among the teachers community,” adding the teachers were united and determined for their due rights at any cost. He termed the cut of conveyance allowance to teachers during the annual vacation unjustified.

The teachers are demanding restoration of times scale promotion – granted in 2007, no cut in their conveyance allowance during the annual vacation and implementation of the promotion quota. But the timescale and pension privileges have topped their list of demands.