Grade 18 Promotions: 241 Punjab Female Officers Await Decision
At least 241 eligible female officers in Punjab’s School Education Department remain without Grade 18 promotions. Meanwhile, the department has promoted 515 male officials to Grade 19. The gap has raised questions about equal opportunities.
Female officers await decisions
The issue reached the Punjab Assembly after lawmakers questioned delays in processing promotion cases. However, authorities recently approved and notified male officers through Promotion Selection Board-II.
Female officers from the same service cadre still await final decisions. Both groups had previously moved through the process together. Therefore, the recent change has caused concern among affected officials.
Several officers say they have completed every required condition.
These include service length, performance reviews, Annual Performance Evaluation Reports and other departmental requirements.
School heads also form part of the affected group. Many have served in Grade 18 for years and became eligible before the latest board meeting.Teacher Saba Malak said affected officials do not seek special treatment. Instead, they want the department to apply the same policy to everyone.
Delays raise seniority concerns
Officials familiar with the matter cite record checks as a major hurdle. These checks include seniority lists, disciplinary clearance and administrative observations.In addition, approvals from several forums have slowed the process. File movement between offices has also created procedural delays.The issue extends beyond salary and allowances. A higher grade can open access to senior administrative roles and future roles.
As a result, some officers fear delays could affect their seniority in later boards. They also worry about losing career opportunities despite meeting required conditions.The department’s handling of the cases now faces close attention. A clear timeline could reduce uncertainty among affected officials.Equal treatment remains the main demand from female officers. They say a fair process should assess every eligible case under the same rules.
