SHANGLA — The abolition of the son quota in the Education Department has sparked strong concerns among lower-grade employees and school land donors in Shangla, who say the decision threatens employment prospects for their families and undermines earlier understandings tied to school land donations.
During a press conference attended by dozens of government school landowners and leaders of the All Pakistan Class-IV Association Shangla, union representatives urged authorities to review the policy and restore the quota, arguing that many families had provided land for schools with the expectation of employment opportunities for their children.
Employees, land donors voice concerns
Addressing the media, association president Fazal Hadi, general secretary Liaqat Ali Khan and other office-bearers said many government schools in Shangla were built on land voluntarily provided by local residents to support education in their communities.
They said landowners had donated land free of cost for school construction with the understanding that their families would receive preference in jobs at those institutions.
“We provided valuable land for schools so that children in our areas could have access to education, but now our families are being denied employment opportunities,” union leaders said, adding that the decision has caused widespread concern among land donors and retired Class-IV employees.
According to the speakers, schools constructed close to the homes of land donors should give priority in employment to members of those families.
Demand for review of recruitment policy
Union leaders and recently retired Class-IV employees also expressed reservations over a recent recruitment advertisement issued by the Shangla Education Department.
They said many employees had spent decades serving the department and expected their children to receive employment opportunities as recognition of their service.
The speakers noted that the son quota was abolished following a court decision, which they said has created difficulties for lower-grade employees who previously relied on the arrangement to secure jobs for their children after retirement.
They urged the government to review the policy and approach the court for reconsideration so the quota could be restored.
Warning of protests
Union representatives also said several government schools in the district are built on land owned by employees who donated property to ensure educational facilities in remote areas.
They argued that the families of such land donors should be given preference in employment at those schools.
The leaders warned that they would oppose the appointment of other individuals on land they had provided for school construction. If their concerns were not addressed, they said the association could launch protests to press for their demands.
The press conference was attended by union representatives and landowners including Fazal Hadi, Umar Saeed, Liaqat Ali Khan, Amjad Ali, Shamsuddin, Faiz Muhammad, Sher Ali, Umar Khaliq, Shamsur Rehman and Zafar Dandai, along with more than 90 school landowners.
Concerns over BISP salary deductions
Union leaders also expressed reservations about deductions from the salaries of lower-grade employees under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
They urged the government to review the decision and exempt lower-level employees from such deductions, arguing that many workers already face financial pressures.
The association called on authorities to address the concerns of lower-grade employees and school land donors and ensure that their welfare and rights are protected.
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