Using batons, tear gas and water cannons, police attacked teachers protesting over job insecurity. On Sunday 15 September, almost 1,000 headmasters, headmistresses and head teachers of public schools in Sindh responded to a call by the All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association’s Sindh chapter to march in favour of permanent jobs.
The teachers had been appointed following a recruitment drive and selection process that began in 2015. Those that passed the selection process also underwent training and were then appointed, but only on a contract basis. Former education minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and secretary Qazi Shahid had on multiple occasions assured the teachers that their jobs would be regularised, but the contracts were extended for another year. Then a ten per cent education funding cut was announced, and a notification for their dismissal after the contract period was issued. This was despite the fact that many had received certificates of appreciation for their excellent performance.
Several hours into the protest, when the teachers had received no word from the government, they started marching toward the Chief Minister’s House. Police placed obstacles in their way to restrict them from advancing. Clashes erupted between the protesters and the police, with the former resorting to baton-charges and water cannon to disperse the protesters. Several protesters were injured in the clash. The injured were shifted to hospitals in ambulances while several teachers were arrested by the police.
