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Pakistani school, consulate accused of rights abuse

DUBAI — The teachers of Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School in Dubai have, once again, accused the school management and Pakistan Consulate in Dubai of misusing their authority and depriving them of their rights. Both school management and consulate have denied the accusations vehemently.

A few months ago, the teachers had brought to light similar complaints and they had been promised by authorities that the matter would be looked into.

In an open letter sent to your favourite No. 1 newspaper Khaleej Times and the Ministry of Education, the teachers from the boys and girls both and some parents accused the principal of the school Razi Shah and the Vice-Principal Asma Maleek “selling the jobs of teachers by accepting bribes.” They demanded that an inquiry be launched. The letter said: “We raisedthe issue before but no action was taken neither the situation improved. The school principal and vice principal take bribes from the teachers, take money in cash and give no receipt. Female teachers are discriminated against due to which their salaries are lesser than their male counterparts.”

Other accusations by the teachers included: Having more number of students than allowed in some classrooms, making payments of labour cards (Dh3,000) despite being paid less. They also said that upon new recruitments, teachers who needed the school’s sponsorship had to deposit Dh8,000.

Accusing the Pakistan Consulate of being biased, the teachers said that when contacted, officials from the consulate wanted to know details of each teacher who dared talk against them.

Clarifying their stance, the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai Ch Abdul Hamid said that consulate officers had never been contacted. “The teachers are demanding that the school fees be raised so that their salaries can be increased. This is not justified because children of poor people also study in the school and this would affect them as well.” he also said that the consulate had never been contacted by the teachers. “If their demands are fair, then there should be no hiding,” he questioned. He also said that after school results are out, the Board of Directors will scrutinise and analyse the work of the teachers.

Principal of the school, Shah denied each accusation and said that if the finances of the school increase, the salaries would also increase. “We are working on that front but nothing has been finalised yet,” he added.