Teachers at prominent private schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad are experiencing intense pressure as non-academic and extracurricular tasks have multiplied, pushing their core teaching duties to the background.
These additional responsibilities include creating social media content, preparing for sports galas and annual functions, and hosting daily themed events such as Mango Day, Welcome Parties, and Colour Day. Many educators believe that school management uses these activities as a marketing strategy to secure new admissions, while the entire burden of execution falls on the teaching staff.
Teachers say they are forced to perform duties outside their official job descriptions without receiving any extra compensation.
Noshaba, a teacher, said, “we were appointed to teach, but most of our time is now consumed by classroom decoration, event management, dance rehearsals and making videos for school pages.” She stated that they must remain at the school after official hours to complete these preparations.
Noshaba further noted that management holds teachers accountable if parents complain about a single photograph. She remarked that while school competition previously focused on academic results, it is now based on who organizes more colourful functions.
Tehreem, another teacher, said, “Our official timing is till 1:30 p.m., but during event season we stay till 4 p.m. There is no overtime. Those who refuse to stay face consequences in their evaluation.” Tehreem complained of exhaustion from performing roles as photographers, hosts, and crowd managers during Fun Fairs and Parent-Teacher Meetings.
