Punjab School Heads Await Allowances After Passing Merit Test. Punjab is currently facing a serious issue in its public education sector. Many school heads who passed a proper merit-based provincial test are still waiting for their due allowances. These officers were appointed legally and are performing all assigned duties, yet their financial rights have not been fulfilled. This delay has created frustration and stress among educators who expected fair treatment after qualifying through merit.
Merit-Based Appointments of School Heads
A total of 1,084 school heads across Punjab were appointed after clearing the provincial merit test. This test was introduced to ensure transparency and fairness in leadership positions. The goal was to remove favoritism and select capable candidates purely on merit. These school heads now manage daily school operations, supervise teachers, guide students, handle parents, and ensure government rules are followed. They carry full administrative responsibility within their schools.
Charge Allowance Still Unpaid
Despite their responsibilities, the school heads have not received their charge allowance. A charge allowance is extra monthly pay given for additional duties. Each school head is entitled to receive Rs 1,200 per month. Although this amount seems small, it supports daily needs like fuel, travel, and household expenses. Four months have passed, but no allowance has been paid so far.
Duties Continue Despite Financial Delay
Even without receiving their allowances, school heads continue to work sincerely. Schools open on time, classes run smoothly, exams are conducted, and official reports are submitted regularly. This reflects their dedication to education. However, continued delays send a negative message and reduce motivation. Hard work without recognition weakens morale.
Lahore School Heads Face Extra Problems
The situation in Lahore is even more serious. In Lahore, 135 school heads were appointed through the merit system. Along with the charge allowance, their leave and conveyance allowances have also been withheld. Conveyance allowance is important because school heads travel daily for meetings and official tasks. Without this support, managing responsibilities becomes more difficult.
AG Office Recognition Issue
According to school principals, the main issue lies with the AG Office. The AG Office does not recognize these appointed officers as official school heads for allowance purposes. This has created a serious system gap. On paper, they passed the test and received postings. In practice, they perform all head duties. Yet, in records, they are not treated as heads, which has blocked their payments.
Impact on the Education System
This issue is not just about money. It affects the entire education system. School heads are leaders who guide teachers and shape students’ futures. When leaders feel ignored, the system weakens. Motivation drops, frustration grows, and trust in merit-based recruitment declines. Some school heads now question whether honesty and effort truly matter.
Merit System Losing Trust
The provincial merit test was introduced to build trust and fairness. Teachers worked hard to pass it and accepted postings with hope. Delayed allowances have damaged this trust. Trust takes years to build but can be lost quickly. If this issue continues, future candidates may lose faith in merit-based systems.
Voices of Affected School Heads
Many school principals have raised complaints. They say they are fulfilling all duties but are denied their rightful benefits. This stress also affects their families. Daily expenses, bills, and school fees do not wait. Financial uncertainty reduces peace of mind and professional focus.
Appeal to the Education Minister
The school heads have urged Rana Sikandar Hayat, the Provincial Education Minister, to take immediate notice of the issue. They believe that clear instructions from the ministry can resolve the matter by recognizing their status and directing the AG Office to release pending allowances.
Why Immediate Action Is Needed
Government action is important because this issue is about respect, recognition, and protection of merit. If merit-based officers are ignored, the credibility of recruitment systems will collapse. This can harm the entire public sector and discourage capable individuals from stepping forward.
Simple Way to Understand the Issue
Imagine a family business where someone is promoted to manager after a test. He works daily and runs operations, but the accountant refuses to pay the manager salary, saying he is not officially a manager. This would be unfair. The same injustice is happening with these school heads.
Conclusion
Punjab’s school heads earned their positions through merit and are performing their duties honestly. Denying their allowances after four months is unfair and harmful. Immediate action is needed to restore trust, protect merit, and strengthen the education system. Paying school heads their due allowances is not a favor. It is their right.
