The corridors of Government Primary School No. 5 in Hayatabad, a bustling suburb of Peshawar, usually echo with the chatter of young learners and the clatter of school bags. Yet a routine surprise visit by the district education officer turned that ordinary scene into a startling revelation.
During the unannounced inspection carried out by the District Education Officer (Male), Peshawar, officials observed pupils of classes one to five sweeping floors, mopping tiles and handling other cleaning tasks that are normally the responsibility of custodial staff. The observation was made on a regular school day, confirming that the children were being deployed for manual chores while lessons were scheduled to take place.
In response, the education department immediately suspended five teachers employed at the school, pending a formal inquiry into the alleged practice. The suspensions were announced on the same day as the inspection, signaling the authority’s intent to act swiftly against any breach of the province’s education policies.
Parents of the affected students, along with local education activists, expressed outrage on social media and at a hastily convened meeting with school officials. They argued that compelling children to perform non‑educational labour not only violates the Right to Education Act of 2012 but also detracts from learning time, undermining the quality of instruction that public schools are mandated to provide.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department has pledged a comprehensive review of supervision mechanisms across public schools in the district to prevent a recurrence. Authorities affirmed that the suspended teachers will face disciplinary proceedings if the inquiry substantiates the allegations, and they urged all school administrators to adhere strictly to the legal prohibition on child labour in educational settings. The episode has reignited a broader debate on safeguarding students’ rights and ensuring that schools focus solely on teaching and learning.