Peshawar schools probe reveals ghost staff

PESHAWAR: An inspection report presented to the deputy commissioner has identified widespread absenteeism among teaching and non-teaching employees in government schools across Peshawar district, while also uncovering cases in which staff were posted away from their original duty stations.

The findings were discussed during a meeting of the District Steering Committee for Education held at the district headquarters and chaired by Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Captain (retd) Sanaullah Khan. The meeting was attended by District Monitoring Officer Sameera Saba, male and female district education officers, and other officials from relevant departments.

During the session, the district monitoring officer submitted a detailed report on the education sector in the district. The report covered performance indicators, attendance levels, the availability of basic facilities, and inspection findings from different government schools.

Some schools were found to be performing satisfactorily. However, a considerable number of institutions had teaching and non-teaching staff with prolonged absences on record. In several instances, employees were also found working at locations other than the schools where they had originally been posted.

Administration orders action

Addressing the meeting, DC Sanaullah Khan said the district administration was using all available resources to improve the education sector. He said negligence and laxity would not be tolerated and issued immediate instructions to address the issues highlighted in the inspection report.

The deputy commissioner directed officials to take strict action over the irregularities identified during the inspections. The report prompted authorities to call for an immediate overhaul of basic infrastructure in schools across the district.

Basic facilities under scrutiny

The inspection report also highlighted a range of infrastructure deficiencies in government schools. These included the complete absence of boundary walls at some institutions, old and deteriorating school buildings, poor drainage and sewage arrangements, non-functional solar power systems, lack of electricity, and washrooms in poor condition.

It also pointed to shortages of other essential facilities, adding to concerns over the condition of public schools in the district.

The issues were formally placed before the District Steering Committee for Education as part of a broader review of school performance and facilities in Peshawar. The meeting concluded with directions for immediate steps on both staff-related violations and deficiencies in school infrastructure.