MIRPUR (Kashmir English): The Azad Kashmir government has taken action against low teacher salaries in private schools, making sure that the official minimum wage is provided.
The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has instructed the district administrations of all 10 districts to make sure that private school teachers and staff are paid according to the official minimum wage policy, sources confirmed.
Following this directive, Mirpur District Magistrate Yasir Riaz recently told the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) to quickly collect salary details from all private educational institutions in Mirpur.
In an official notice issued on Wednesday, the Deputy Commissioner said that the required information had still not been submitted to the district administration.
The DC noted that it has come to the administration’s attention that many private school owners are paying their staff much less than the government-set minimum wage of Rs37,000 per month. This amount is legally required under labour laws, but many schools are not following the rules properly.
Deputy Commissioner Yasir Riaz Chaudhry added that recent cuts in electricity costs have lowered overall school expenses, and there has been no major rise in inflation either in AJK or the rest of the country. Despite this, private schools have raised their fees at the start of the new academic session while not increasing teacher salaries in private schools much or at all.
He also pointed out that many protests have been held and reports are appearing in newspapers and on social media against the rising school fees.
The DC instructed the administration to get a proper explanation from the school owners about the fee hikes. He also said a meeting should be arranged with private school owners to gather details about teacher salaries in private schools.
Lastly, the DC urged that school management should not increase fees without valid reasons and must pay their teachers according to the minimum wage set by the government.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has directed all districts to ensure private school teachers receive a minimum monthly wage of Rs37,000.
Mirpur’s DC criticised schools for underpaying staff and unjustified fee hikes. He ordered salary details and meetings with school owners, stressing compliance with labour laws and prevention of unfair fee increases.
