Punjab is Taking Back Conveyance Allowance From Teachers

Thousands of teachers across Punjab have expressed concern after being ordered to return the conveyance allowance they received during the COVID-19 school closure period.

According to official instructions issued by the Education Authority Lahore, all school heads have been directed to collect and deposit the allowance from teachers immediately. The notification warns that disciplinary action will be taken against school heads who fail to comply.

The authority stated that during the coronavirus holidays, teachers continued receiving their conveyance allowance because the Finance Department did not deduct it from salaries at the time. Officials have now declared that the allowance must be repaid without exception.

Teachers, however, have called the decision unfair and financially burdensome, demanding that the government review the order. They said recovering payments made over four years ago adds unnecessary economic pressure, especially amid high inflation.

One teacher said, “Taking back the allowance after so many years is unjust. We were not at fault; the amount was paid by the department itself.”

Education circles have urged the provincial government to reconsider the directive to protect teachers from financial hardship.