Teachers in Lahore are facing mounting pressure after being asked to manage their regular school responsibilities alongside duties for the ongoing Socio-Economic Survey, a move that has sparked concern across the education sector. With annual exams approaching, educators warn that the added workload is disrupting classrooms and affecting students’ learning.
According to officials from the Education Authority, teachers assigned to the Socio-Economic Survey are required to first complete their school teaching duties and then carry out survey-related tasks. Around 1,500 teachers in Lahore are currently engaged in the survey, leading to noticeable staff shortages in several public schools.
School administrators report that the absence of teachers during school hours is hampering routine academic activities, especially at a time when students are preparing for annual examinations. An education department source stated, “The decision was taken in view of the importance of the survey and upcoming exams, but adjustments are being monitored.”
Teachers argue that performing double duties is neither practical nor sustainable. Many say the workload is causing fatigue and reducing the quality of both teaching and survey work.
A senior teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are committed to national assignments, but education should not suffer. Managing two full responsibilities in a day is extremely difficult.”
Educators have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take immediate notice of the issue, urging the government to either assign separate staff for the survey or provide temporary teaching replacements to avoid academic disruption.
The Socio-Economic Survey is a key government initiative aimed at collecting household data to improve welfare planning and targeted subsidies. In the past, similar surveys have relied heavily on teachers due to their administrative experience. However, critics say repeated non-teaching assignments are gradually overburdening the education system.
The situation comes amid broader challenges in Punjab’s education sector, including delays in teacher retirements and ongoing policy discussions about mandatory teaching licenses.