Syed Ali Shah
QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to extend the contracts of teachers recruited under the first phase of the province’s teacher recruitment programme, with the extension to remain subject to their performance, Education Secretary Lal Jan Jaffar told Quetta Voice.
According to the Education Secretary, the first-phase teachers were initially recruited on 18-month contracts, which have now expired. The provincial government will now extend their contracts up to December 2027, subject to satisfactory performance.
Lal Jan Jaffar said the decision was taken in view of the province’s need for capable teachers and the importance of retaining teaching staff in educational institutions across Balochistan.
Teachers Were Not Paid Salaries
The Education Secretary also acknowledged that some contract teachers have not received their salaries, leaving them facing financial difficulties following the expiry of their contracts.
He said the issue of pending salaries is known to the government and that Chief Minister Balochistan has agreed to extend the teachers contracts.
Lal Jan Jaffar said that once the necessary official and administrative formalities for the contract extensions are completed, the government will also process and pay the remaining outstanding salaries of the affected teachers.
Performance-Based Extension Until 2027
The Education Department will assess teachers on the basis of their performance before and during the extended contractual period. The policy is intended to ensure that teachers who are performing effectively remain part of the provincial education system.
The decision is expected to provide relief to thousands of contract teachers who have been facing uncertainty over their employment and salaries after the completion of their initial 18-month contracts.
The development also comes amid wider concerns over the quality and availability of public education services in Balochistan, where teacher shortages and administrative and financial challenges continue to affect educational service delivery.
