Banur, July 3 — The Block Primary Education Office (BPEO) in Banur is facing a severe staff crunch, resulting in chronic delays in the disbursement of salaries to hundreds of government schoolteachers in the region.
Responsible for overseeing 56 primary and 29 middle, high, and secondary schools in Mohali district and Banur, the BPEO is currently functioning with just one accountant, one visually impaired peon, and the Block Primary Education Officer. With critical posts such as two data entry operators, a mid-day meal coordinator, and a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) lying vacant, the office is struggling to carry out routine administrative and financial tasks.
Teachers across the block say the shortage is directly affecting them. “Each month our salaries are delayed because there’s only one accountant managing salary records for over 300 teachers,” said a primary school teacher who wished to remain unnamed. “Despite several complaints, no action has been taken.”
Officials said the salary delay stretches beyond 10 days each month, leading to growing frustration among teaching staff. The office is also responsible for managing grants and financial paperwork for schools, further compounding its workload.
A senior official at the BPEO admitted the gravity of the situation. “We have repeatedly written to higher authorities about the urgent need for staff, but no action has been taken so far. The biggest issue we are facing is the consistent delay in salary processing,” the official said.
Responding to the matter, Gurinder Sodhi, Director of Secondary Schools, Punjab, said steps were underway to address the staff shortage. “We will soon be filling the posts as we have already sought reports from various BPE offices,” he said.
Until reinforcements arrive, teachers and administrators remain burdened by the mounting workload and delayed payments, with no clear timeline for resolution.
