PESHAWAR( Junaid Toru)A new directive from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Education Department has sparked controversy among schoolteachers, who have strongly opposed the government’s decision linking them with classroom cleaning duties.
The notification, issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, stated that classrooms, corridors, washrooms, playgrounds, and school surroundings must be kept clean under the supervision of both teaching and non-teaching staff.
Teachers across Peshawar have condemned the move, calling it a humiliation of their profession. They argued that their responsibility is to educate children, not to sweep classrooms or oversee janitorial work. Adding to their frustration, several teachers complained that videos and photos of them engaged in cleaning activities were being circulated in official WhatsApp groups, something they described as unethical and an attack on their dignity.
Speaking to Khyber Point, All Primary Teachers Association KP President Azizullah clarified that the directive does not order teachers to clean classrooms themselves. Instead, it aims to ensure that schools are properly cleaned and prepared before the return of students after the three-month summer break. He emphasized that teachers are only required to supervise the process.
Azizullah added that while teachers may voluntarily participate in cleaning as a gesture of goodwill, the official order does not compel them to do so. He also criticized the circulation of teachers’ photos and videos, warning against creating the false impression that educators are being treated like janitorial staff.
Education experts have stressed that the government should appoint permanent cleaning staff in schools to avoid such controversies. They argued that teachers must be allowed to focus solely on their core duty: providing quality education to the next generation.
