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Activity Report
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Founding Convention
held at Islamabad
1st Day on 14th December, 2007 |
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MR. GREG. SCHULZE
Country Director ACILS Islamabad. |
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Dear Sir,
Founding convention of TCOP was held at Islamabad in the Premises (Hall) of Hotel Capital
on 14th – 15th December 2007.
About 57 Teachers’ Leaders of thirty Six TCOP affiliated teachers’ Associations took part in the event as general councilors. The leaders of the rest associations were stayed away due to engaged in election duty and being busy in examinations work of SSC and Local Schools’ exams. But they were allowed proxy votes through their provincial leaders participating in the convention, we invited ILO, FES, ICOS, PWF, ICFTU and other NGOs officials, but due to prior engagement, they could not attend our function:
Mr. Immad Ashraf Program Officer ACILS, Islamabad on first day and Mr. Divid Kammerer, Senior anociate International Affairs Dept. AFT, Mrs. Charito Riley, Senior Program Officer Asia Europe Region ACILS were present in both the days’ proceedings of the convention. The very first day M. Iqbal Shuja Convener TCOP accorded worm welcome to these dignotories and councilors of general council and expressed his heartiest thank for joining the event so far.
On the opening day of convention Mr. Immad Ashraf Program Officer ACILS, Islamabad expressed his views on the working of ACILS internationally and in regard to teachers’ solidarity and uniting fragmented teachers’ Association of Pakistan under the Banner of TCOP. He further pointed out that the task uniting teachers’ associations of Pakistan had been successfully completed under the guidance, support and supervision of ACILS Islamabad, hoping that onward TCOP would stand on its own feet and would continue its activities democratically and depending at its own financial resources depending on membership dues and others constitutional means. Even then ACILS would continue some sort of help in regard to organizational matters and further strengthening TCOP at the grass root level:
The next speaker at the first day was David xammarce, Who threw light on the role of AFT in supporting ACILS for uniting teachers’ associations in Pakistan and quoted some experiences gained in the struggle for bringing the teachers and other education related organizations on the common platform provided by American Teachers Federation in America. He emphasized on the role of Pakistan’s Teachers’ leaders to promote democracy and follow democratic norms in their administrative and organizational setup or activities, workings and managerial proceedings or procedures in all respects. He advised them to remain more vigilant on the issues and problems of the teaching professionals and get their grievances and core issues settle down amicably, so that they could be attracted for being avail the chances to enhance more and more membership of their respective associations.
On proceeding to next item of the Agenda, the chairman of credential committee Mr. Choudhri Muhammad Nawaz issued Credentials to participant units (Associations) entitling them right of votes accordingly in the ensuing elections of executive boards. After that the convener of TCOP. Placed the amendments in TCOP constitution’s Article 8 and Article 8(c) to add one post of Chief Organizer and ten Ex-Officio executive members by virtue of posts holding in Pakistan women teachers council in national and provincial boards, as presidents and general secretaries, which were passed and adopted by the general councilors, announced the procedure of election as per Article 8 of TCOP constitution and distributed the nomination forms unilateral and panel wise among the contestants. At the very first step the elections of office bearers of provincial executive boards were held in a separate meeting of each provincially affiliated associations (the provincial unites) so far elected the office bearers of provincial executive boards of their respective provinces and handed over the results to the chair person of election committee Ms. Rukhsana Perveen, then the elections of office bearers of central executive board were held and the house of general councilors unanimously elected the Boards officials. Later on the final results of provincial and central executive boards were announced by the chairperson Ms. Rukhsana Perveen after compiling it according to the TCOP Constitution. (Results attached herewith). After that the elected office bearers expressed their thanks to the members of convening committee, election committee and electoral college (general council) and resolved to work sincerely for promoting education and upgradation of teachers’ status by all means and committed to take pride in keeping teachers’ interest supreme in all their efforts and endeavours . |
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| 2nd Day 15th December, 2007 |
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This session was started with recitation of quranic verse and after that the TCOP Convener M. Iqbal Shuja delivered his key-note address and therein he wished to extend his heartiest congratulation to the teachers’ leaders who cooperated with him in uniting the teachers’ associations of Pakistan and ACIL Islamabad officials Mr. Greg Sehulze and Immad Ashraf for their support and help to TCOP. He paid glowing tribute to David Kammrer, who provided guide lines to move forward democratically following the struggle of American Teachers’ Federation in the field of education and upgrading the professional capacity of teachers.
In the address the convener positively asserted that his task for uniting the teachers’ associations had been finished and the further task belongs to the newly elected executive boards to welcome the new entrance in the TCOP fold and to endeavour hard in higher sprit to solve the core problems on the ground relating to oppressed and suppressed teachers and to eliminate education regress in both the quality and quantity.
After having finished the address the convener invited the provincial heads to present their reports comprising all the activities done in their provinces from the platform of their own associations and to mention TCOP based activities as well:
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| Mr. Zafeer Ahmed Sathi |
from Punjab
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| Mr. Syed Mushtaq Hussain Shah |
from NWFP |
| Mr. Pervaiz Iqbal Arain |
from Sindh |
| Mr. Syed Agha umer Shah |
from Balochistan |
| Mrs. Zeshan Feroz |
from PWTC |
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| Presented very comprehensive reports on the subject. |
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After presentation of provincial reports Mr. David Kammerer administered oath of office to the newly elected officials of executive boards. (Provincial and central) then after oath taking ceremony. Mr. Muzzamil Khan Turnabi elected president took the position on the daisk and declared the convening committee dissolved, confessing the pleasure to see the fruits of conveners’ labour in bringing the fragmented teachers association of Pak together on TCOP platform.
On this historic occasion Memoir shields were presented to Mr. David Kammerer and charito rely by the president and secretary general TCOP.
At this juncture Mr. David Said “There is much to do now, this time is the best one when you can push your fortune; enhance paid membership; contact young leaders and provide them the free and democratic atmosphere to learn leadership skills and share the experiences with the seasoned leadership to bear the burden of future leadership responsibilities on their shoulders.” He assumed that AFT would continue its technical support for TCOP if it remains vibrant, active and functional organization in the country and needs cooperation from international NGOs and Interact positively with internationals in promoting education and for wellbeing of teachers.
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| CHARITO RILEY: |
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In her speech she endorsed the statements of David Kammerer and asserted that ACILS would also provide technical assistance, expertise and share experiences with TCOP in fostering solidarity and unity among teachers of Pakistan, as it has been doing so in yester years. |
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| RESOLUTIONS: |
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Next to her speech, resolution on the following subject-matters were unanimously passed by the councilors: |
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| 1. |
On Freedom of Association
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On Status of Teachers |
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On TCOP affiliation with EI, PWF |
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On PWTC Affiliation with EI, PWF |
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On teachers’ Commitment |
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| MEMOIR – SHIELDS: |
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| Memoir – shields were presented to Mr. Devid Kammerer and Mrs. Cherito Riley in memoriam of Founding Convention. Other NGOs’ (who could not attend the event due to prior engagement) shields were handed over to ACILS officer Islamabad for onward transmission. |
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Vote for thank: Presented by Ms. Asma Ahmed |
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| EVENING MEETINGS: |
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Mr. David Kammerer AFT Mrs. Chanito Riley ACILS (H.Q) Mr. Immad Ashraf ACILS Islamabad called on newly elected office bearers of executive boards and held special meeting with them. |
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Informal agenda of the meeting included the following topics: |
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Over all situation of Teachers’ associations working in Pakistan specially in cooperation with EI. (Factual Position was explained in detail). |
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Teachers’ core problems and undemocratic constrains on teachers’ associations. (discussed thoroughly) |
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TCOP future plans and to what extend it needs cooperation of AFT and ACILS in implementing them. (discussed in detail) |
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TCOP affiliation with EI. (AFT, ACILS officials assured that they would do their best in getting TCOP affiliation with EI if applied so). |
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| 2ND DAY MEETING 15-12-2007: |
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In the evening of 2nd day, they had another meeting with the office bears of Pakistan women teachers’ council (an female teachers’ wing of TCOP) and discussed the following points: |
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Role of Female teachers in trade union movement and in their parent associations. |
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Core issues, problems and grievances facing women teachers these days and need to be solved with united efforts. (they took the notes and assumed to help solved them through their organization’s solicitation). |
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Future plans of PWTC and needs to implement them successfully and what kind of help it requires from AFT, ACILS (English language Courses, Leadership Training Program, link with international womens organization, Awareness with ILO conventions and labour laws or service rules, seminars on burning issues related to female workers were noted by the AFT and ACILS officials and they assumed to do the needful by launching these programs in consultation with their parent organizations |
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Report by:
M. IQBAL SHUJA
Secretary General |
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Brief Activity Report
In Regard To Women Teachers’ Consultative Programs |
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| Program held at: |
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Karachi (Sindh) on 6-7, 6-2006
Multan (Punjab) on 13-14, 6-2006
Abtabad (NWFP) on 19-19, 6-2006
Quetta (Balochistan) on 3-4, 6-2006 |
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As there are no women teachers’ Association in all the Provinces of Pakistan except Pakistan Women teachers’ council an affiliate of TCOP, which is based on individual membership, therefore TCOP designated Mrs. Qaisar Jehan President Pakistan women teachers’ council and Mr. Zeshan Feroz General Secretary of PWTC as organizers for holding women teaqchers’ consultative programs through out the province of Pakistan.
Mr. Iqbal Shuja convener TCOP and Mr. Muhammad Nawaz co-convener coordinated the scheduled programs and assisted the organizers in all the organizational procedures and matters.
Women teachers were invited through their respective and parent male dominated Association to participate in these programs.
The objectives for these women teacher programs, what we were aiming at were: |
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To acquaint them with the “Rights of women vide ILO conventions and what Pakistan’s constitution providers them.
To identify their problems facing these days as women workers in education.
To inculcate leadership traits amount them to solve the entirely women related problems with united efforts.
To infuse in them the “Democratic spirit and norms so that they could play a vital role in promoting democracy.
To prepare them for taking active part in Labor movement and in civic activities as a Citizen.
To get them realized the importance of cooperation with national and international labor and educational organizations or trade unions.
To remind them their responsibilities toward discharging their duties in promoting quality education and sharing in educational planning with govt. planning agencies and departments with their entire experience and expertise. |
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The objectives we achieved with these programs were: |
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It was long awaited desire of women teachers to have female dominated organization for their own
cause, as male dominated teacher Association some time ignore their Basic problems or could hardly convey their concerns to higher authorities of education department and ministries concerned, So these programs came up to their expectation and fulfilled the desire long awaited.
We could be able to establish Pakistan women teachers’ council Provincial Board, which brought them together to work for uplifting quality education and Socio-ECO status of teachers with collective efforts.
We found them agreed with the concept of working in labor movement and to play a pivotal and important role in promoting democracy in the country.
We also traced out many talented female teachers in these programs who have utmost devotion to work for teachers’ cause. They also have leadership traits and guiding skills and can play a meaning full role in leading the women teachers of their respective areas.
They are all committed to raise the issue of freedom of Association among women Teachers and are agreed to start membership campaign of PWTC in their respective provinces. |
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| What we need in further more: |
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7.
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To hold seminars, workshops and conferences on the burning issues and problems relating to educational matters and concerning to female teachers.
To hold women teachers conventions at Islamabad or Karachi to bring them together for sharing their aspirations, experiences and understanding on matters of mutual interest on matters of mutual interest and common issues.
To arrange leadership training program for female teachers in all the provinces.
To provide technical know-how for dealing financial matters, preparing memorandum and maintaining officer record properly as being followed in advanced countries.
To organize educational study Tours inland and abroad to enrich their knowledge and widen their vision so that they could meet the challenges of the time successfully.
To supply the relevant educational literatures magazines and Audio visual aids concerning to Women Progress, empowerment and on issues of virtual importance.
To inform them about new and latest teaching methods, techniques and scheme of studies by providing knowledgeable materials and substantive teaching aids, which are being in practice these days in Progressive countries? |
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Submitted by
M.IQBAL SHUJA
Convener TCOP |
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In regard to AFT Meetings / Consultation with
Teacher’s Leader in Provincial Head Quarters / Capitals |
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Karachi on 22,23,24/04/2006
Quita on 26/04/2006
Lahore on 28/04/2006
Peshawer on 30/04/200 |
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On 24th April 2006 AFT officials Mr. David Kemmerer along with officials of solidarity CENTER Mr. Gregschulze and Qindeel Shujat Mrs. Adrinne V,. Dohetry Paid a terse visit to TCOP headquarter and appreciated the work and efforts exerted in establishing the office by the convening committee.
In these meetings and consultations participants leaders introduced themselves and submitted brief history and Activity report about their respective organization and also pointed out some severe problems teachers facing these days in their provinces.
AFT representative Mr. David Kemmerer delivered a very comprehensive and significant lecture on the system of education of America and constitutional working and history of AFT. Mrs. Adrianee V. Doherty also supplemented his lecture very impressively and Mr. Qindeel Shujaat had very vividly interpreted his lecture in Urdu which had very imperative, significant and useful impact on leaders to understand the subject matter and content of the lecture delivered so by Mr. David.
Mr. Gregschulze an official from solidarity center of Islamabad office also took active part in clarification of some important issue and workings relating to AFT.
Teachers leaders were very much benefited and impressed by the lecture, which gave them valuable knowledge about organizing teachers unions and making them strong and functional under prevailing tense situation in the country.
Concluding the consultants meetings Mr. Iqbal Shuja convener TCOP thanked to he AFT/ACILS officials for providing technical know how and financial assistance and support to TCOP and providing valuable books, literature and magazine of AFT for our future guidance and follow up. |
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Chauhdri Muhammad Nawaz
Finance Secretary / Reporter. |
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Brief Activity Report
In regard to AFT Meetings / Consultation with
Teacher’s Leader in
Provincial Head Quarters / Capitals |
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Dear brothers and sisters
Good morning
I feel it my bounden duty to welcome you all with the core of my heart in this consultative meeting with AFT officials, about the Right of freedom of association and the prevailing situation in Pakistan.
In this regard I would like to say that since the birth of Pakistan on the 14 Aug. 1947, we have been listening very much loud notes of democracy, but unfortunately we have been encountering, confronting contrasting ideals and thought in interpreting the democracy, even the socalled champions of democracy while in power or rather in action have been adopting undemocratic attitudes toward democratic units institutions and association of any kind.
Even today we may observe this tendency conspicuously evident in all the Govt. servant conduct Rules 1962, 64 and 1991, which have been framed and promulgated by the different Govt. From time to time to conduct the activities of civil servants relating to discharging of their professional duties and responsibilities and pertaining to the working of civil servants as a member of an Association. These Rules do allow Govt. Employee to form an Association but under some specific conditions and restrictions which are contrary to ILO conventions 98, 97 and against the Right of freedom of Association.
Although the Govt. of Pakistan was one of the signatory of ILO Conventions 98, 87 and had ratified the convention aforesaid in 1954 and also the provision has been provided in the Pakistan’s constitution vide Articles 17&19, yet the govt. Servants have been deprived with their legitimate right to form union in their respective organizations and to become collective. Bargaining Agents. In the absence of free, strong and democratically functioning teachers Association the entire set-up and infrastructure of education has been deteriorated, dilapidated and collapsed and resultantly many evils and ills have creeped into the Administration and academic system school. Such ills are illegal gratification, Corruption, misuse of powers, centralized Administration, ethenic Groupings, emergence of numerous Fake and money hungry Associations and political interference in Administration.
It is a universal and proven fact that the remedies of these ills are lying in the hands of free and democratic teachers association and unions, which may play a vital role of check & balance in maintaining good administration and may also play a pivotal where Unions have been deprived with the Right of freedom of Association they produce nothing except chaos.
Dear Brother and Sister I may take this opportunity to say that prior to 2004 many Teachers Association were working at provincial level But there did not exit any effective and democratically functions teachers, organization at national level, it was way back in 2004 that with consistent insistence of some local teachers association of sindh province started work in this segment of society.
They realized that teachers had some loose organization, which were not familiar with trade union movement and its aims and objectives, as a result of which that thse solve the teachers problems effectively, thus they formed a convening committee and interim executive “Board of teachers” consortium of Pakistan” and gave a wake-up call they started organizing teachers and extended an invitation to already existing Associations to become active under the banner of one National Organization i.e. TCOP.
For this purpose solidarity center was requested to provide Technical and Financial Assistance for the benefit of Teachers and thus make them conscious of how they could be strong and effective nationality and to have professional links they can have with Teachers and workers Organizations internationally. Our request has been accepted by the solidarity center and now our efforts are under our efforts way for uniting the scattered Teacher’s Associations of Pakistan and to provide them a common plate form for grappling and grasping the main hindrances and obstacles in the smooth running of an association and struggle against education decline in Both quantity and quality and also relegating democracy as well.
TCOP is very much thankful to solidarity center for it’s valuable support in Organizing Teacher’s Association into a single democratic and functional organization of Pakistan.
TCOP is also highly obliged to notable AFT for paying a terse visit to Pakistan and providing Technical know. How and transferring Rich experiences to Teacher’s Leaders with regard to uniting the Teacher’s Association both unilaterally and bilaterally working on local and provincial matters efficiently and skillfully. In the end I thank you all for giving me a patient and encouraging hearing. I am sanguinely reassured that our this humble effort will prove to be a quantum leap in salvaging the professional pride and boosting the educational tide. |
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M. Iqbal Shuja
Convener TCOP. |
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Brief Activity Report
In Regard To Women Teachers Consultative Programs |
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a.
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Programs Held At:
Karachi (Sindh) on 6 – 7, 6 – 2006
Multan (Punjab) on 13 – 14, 6 – 2006
Abtabad (NWFP) on 18 – 19, 6 – 2006
Quetta (Baluchistan) on 3 – 4, 6 – 2006
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b.
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Women Teachers Participation
At Karachi 15 + 4 (Organizers TCOP)
At Multan 15 + 4 (Organizers TCOP)
At Abtabad 15 + 4 (Organizers TCOP)
At Quetta 15 + 4 (Organizers TCOP)
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c.
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As there are no Women Teacher’s Association in all the provinces of Pakistan except Pakistan women teacher’s council an affiliate of TCOP, which is based on individual membership, therefore TCOP designated Mrs. Qaiser Jehan president Pakistan women teacher’s council and Mrs. Zeshan Feroz General Secretary of PWTC as organizers for holding women teachers consultative programs throughout all the provinces all the provinces of Pakistan.
M. Iqbal Shuja Convener TCOP and Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Co-convener coordinated the scheduled programs and assisted the organizers in all the organizational procedures.
Women teacher were invited through their respective and parent male dominated association to participated in these programs.
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d.
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The Objectives for these women teacher programs, what we were aiming at were:
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii) |
To acquaint them with the “rights of women vide ILO
conventions and what Pakistan’s constitution provides them.
To identify their problems facing these days as women workers in education.
To inculcate leadership traits among them to solve the entirely women related problems with united efforts.
To infuse in them the “Democratic spirit and norms” awareness” so that they could play a vital role in promoting democracy in Socio-Eco and political activities of the country.
To prepare them to take active part in labour movement and in political activities as well.
To get them realized the importance of cooperation with national and international labour and educational organizations or trade unions.
To remind them their responsibilities toward discharging their duties in promoting quality education and sharing education planning’s with govt. planner agencies and departments with their entire experience and expertise
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e.
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The objectives we achieved with these programs are:
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
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It was long awaited desire of women teachers to have female dominated organization for their own cause, as male dominated teacher Association some time ignore their basic problems or could hardly convey their concerns to higher authorities of education department and ministries concerned, so these program come up to their expectation and fulfilled the desire long awaited.
We could be able to establish Pakistan women teachers council executive provincial boards of “Pakistan women teachers’ council” which brought them together to work for uplifting quality and Socio-ECO status of teachers with collective efforts.
We found them agreed with the concept of working in labour movement and to play a pivotal and important role in promoting democracy in the country.
We also traced out may talented female teachers in these program who have utmost devotion to work for teachers’ cause. They also have leadership traits and guiding skills and can play a meaning full role in leading the women teachers of their respective areas.
They are all committed to raise the issue of freedom of Association among women teachers and are agreed to start membership campaign of PWTC in their respective provinces
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f.
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What we need further more:
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
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To hold seminars, workshops and conferences on the burning issue and problems relating to education matters and concerning to female teachers.
To hold women teachers convention at Islamabad or Karachi to bring them together for sharing their aspirations, experiences and understanding on matter of mutual interest and common issues.
To arrange leadership training program for female teachers in all the provinces and abroad.
To provide technical know-how for dealing financial matters, preparing memorandum and maintaining office record properly as being followed in democratic advanced countries.
To organize educational study. Groups inland and abroad to enrich their knowledge and widen their vision so that they could meet the challenges of the time very successful and timely.
To supply the relevant educational literatures, magazines and Audio visual aid concerning to women progress, empowerment and on issues of vital importance.
To inform them about new and latest teaching methods, techniques and scheme of studies by providing knowledgeable material and substantive teaching aids, which are being in practice these day in progressed countries
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Submitted by |
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M. Iqbal Shuja
Convener TCOP |
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Note:
As per agreement we have to hold 3 women teachers programs, but as we have four provinces, we cannot leave one for open objection thus for these we had 4 program in each province within the specific allocated amount. We need no extra financial cooperation in this regard. |
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