Senior officers are neglected while Juniors are posted on senior positions
Stakeholders appealed to CM Punjab, Education Minister and Secretary School Education Department Punjab to take notice
(http//:www.thenewslark.com)Despite the keen desire of CM Punjab Mohtarma Maryam Nawaz and Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, some unscrupulous elements in the Punjab School Education department are neglecting merit and are reported to have committed serious violations of rules and regulations. Senior officers are neglected, and junior officers have been given posted at senior position, which is not only against the rules and regulations but also against the keen desire of CM Punjab and the Education Minister’s sincere efforts to promote Quality Education in Punjab. Junior officers are being posted to senior positions, bypassing seniors, which has raised concerns among deserving meritorious officers.PCS Act 1974 section 9 provides the government with administrative authority to post civil servants to any position under its control but exercise of this act in theSchool Education Department Punjab is being widely and frequently in practice for the last twoyears. However, observers within the School Education Department of Punjab argue that the Section 9 allows the posting of a junior officer against a higher position only when no eligible officer of the required grade is available. However, it is a matter of serious concern that, despite the availability of highly qualified, capable and experienced senior officers, junior officers are being posted by overlooking the rightful senior candidates. This practice raises serious question about merit, transparency and fairness in the school education department of Punjab.Provision is being used in certain case to assign junior officers to senior posts while senior and more experienced officers within the cadre are overlooked. Senior officers have the notion that,while using powers under section 9 of the Punjab Civil Servant Act, 1947, merit must not be neglected, which is the soul of the law. They have raised their serious concerns over some instances, where junior officers have been assigned to senior positions under section 9, while senior and eligible officers remain available within the cadre. Section 9, according to the legal experts shouldonly be used for temporary administrative requirements not permanent postings.
Education sector representatives argue that while temporary arrangements may be justified in exceptional circumstances to ensure continuity of administration, prolonged continuation of junior officers on senior posts may raise questions regarding transparency, seniority principles, and institutional morale. According to the law, section 9 could only be applied for temporary administrative requirements and must be within the legal framework. Transparency, fairness, and justice to everyone must be assured. Political interference and undue pressure are creating unrest in system and affecting the performance of senior officers. Senior officers warned that the prolonged placement of juniors over seniors disrupt administrative hierarchy, undermines moral and threatens institutional discipline. The practice is not only legally questionable but also results in the underutilization of highly qualified and experienced senior officers. It is deeply demotivating for senior officers to be overlooked despite their eligibility, competence and experience, which negatively impacts institutional morale ,efficiency and overall performance of school education department Punjab
Stakeholders appealed to the government, CM, and the education minister and Secretary Schools to take notice of this situation. The government must collect comprehensive data regarding all postings from Grade 17-20 done under Section 9 for the last 2 years and conduct a merit-based review of officers appointed under this provision. Such scrutiny is essential to ensure transparency, legality and the protection of the seniority right s within the school education department.This would enhance confidence among officers, and they would be able to serve in a better way for the noble cause of promoting quality education in a professional way