Empty classrooms, full staffrooms as teachers report despite ‘fuel-saving’ school closures

LAHORE: The government of Pakistan has announced school closures as a “fuel-saving” measure amid Iran-Israel conflict, but teachers say they are still required to report to campuses each morning even though students are attending lessons from home.

In schools where classrooms have fallen silent and students are attending lessons from home under government “fuel-saving” closures, teachers say staff-rooms are still packed every morning.

Across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, private school teachers told Pakistan Today that they are being required to report to campuses daily and conduct the same online classes students are attending from home.

The government earlier directed educational institutions to suspend physical classes and shift teaching online for a few days in an effort to cut fuel consumption linked to school transport and daily commuting.

But teachers say the directive has not changed their commute.

“We are logging into online classes from our classrooms,” said a teacher at a private school in Lahore, requesting anonymity due to fear of disciplinary action. “Students are attending from home, but teachers still have to come to school.”

Several teachers said the requirement has created a second challenge at home: their own children are also attending online classes.

“Our children at home are unable to take their classes online, but we have to leave for school,” said another teacher in Lahore. “Arranging someone to supervise them during their classes becomes difficult.”

Teachers also said they continue to bear the cost of travelling to work during the closure period.

“We still have to arrange transport or spend on petrol to reach school every day,” said a teacher in Rawalpindi. “Private schools are not providing transport service or any fuel allowance.”

The farea of the ride-hailing services have also multiplied, following the rise in the fuel prices.

Despite the absence of students on campus, teachers say staff attendance remains mandatory and regular working hours are being observed during the closure period.

Some private school administrators say teachers are required to conduct online classes from school so management can monitor lessons and ensure that schedules are followed.

A senior administrator at a private institution in Lahore said staff presence also allows schools to address technical issues quickly during the temporary shift to online learning.

For many teachers, however, the closure has produced an unusual sight across campuses: locked classrooms, but full staffrooms as teachers log in to teach students who are miles away.