BAHAWALNAGAR: Some staffers of the Government Vocational Training Institute for Women (GVTIW), Mandi Madrasa, are allegedly receiving their monthly salaries, without even visiting the institute, in connivance with its administration, Dawn has learnt.

While sharing documentary evidence, GVTIW sources told Dawn that one of the staffer, Ms Tahira Niyaz, who joined the institute as a visiting English instructor in August last year, had not given even a single lecture to the Matric students so far.

However, the sources said, the instructor, in alleged connivance with the institute’s Principal Ms Rashida Ibrahim, had been getting her salary regularly.

They said that to manage her attendance, Ms Niyaz had been visiting the institute once or twice a month during the period, adding that her absence could be verified with the help of the footage of close circuit TV cameras at the institute.

The sources alleged that the GVTIW principal condoned Ms Niyazi’s absence after taking her cut from the instructor’s salary.

The sources said the instructor’s attendance for the month of March had been marked in the institute’s register despite her absence for maternity as she gave birth to a baby boy on March 13 at a private clinic -- Amin Memorial Hospital and Maternity Home at Mandi Madrasa. Dawn has a copy of the relevant pages of the attendance register.

They sources also shared a cheque issued by the Bank of Punjab worth Rs66,559 for the salaries of a chowkidar and three visiting instructors, including Ms Niyaz for the month of March.

Some students of the institute and their parents, seeking anonymity, confirmed that not only the English instructor, but some other instructors also remained absent from their duties. They said whenever they raised their voice against these irregularities, they were asked by the GVTIW principal to keep silent.

Instructor, Ms Tahira Niyaz was not available for her stance on the issue. When called on Principal Rashida Ibrahim’s contact number, a man who attended the call said the principal had already submitted a reply to the high-ups in this regard.

Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) District Director Rana Usman said he had learnt about the matter a day ago and would probe into it, saying anyone found guilty would be dealt with as per the law.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2022