Punjab Teachers Ordered to Return Conveyance Allowance Received During 2019
In a new administrative move, the Punjab Education Department has instructed all school heads to recover conveyance allowances paid to teachers during the COVID-19 school closure period (2020–2021).
The official order, issued by the Education Authority Lahore in November 2025, directs schools to collect and return the excess allowance immediately and submit compliance reports to the department.
The notification clearly states that disciplinary action will be taken against headteachers who fail to recover and deposit the amount within the given timeline.
Background: Why Recovery Is Being Ordered Now
During the pandemic, schools were closed but teachers continued to receive their salaries and conveyance allowances since the Finance Department did not stop those payments at the time.
After a recent audit by the Punjab Finance Department, the payments have now been declared “unauthorized” and are to be refunded to the government treasury.
Officials justify the recovery under the Punjab Financial Rules 2025, which require government employees to return any amount received in error.
Teachers’ Response: ‘Unfair and Financially Unjustified’
The decision has sparked strong criticism among the teaching community across Punjab.
Teachers argue that they were not responsible for the overpayment, and that reclaiming the allowance four years later is unreasonable given the current inflation and salary stagnation.
Many educators say they were performing duties remotely during the lockdown, including lesson planning, grading, and managing online classes — meaning the allowance was not entirely unearned.
Teacher unions, including the Punjab Teachers Association (PTA) and Punjab Teachers Union (PTU), have called the decision “unjust and financially insensitive.”
They are urging the government to withdraw the recovery order or allow installment-based deductions for those unable to pay the lump sum.
Government’s Stand on the Issue
A senior official from the Finance Department Punjab defended the decision, saying:
“The directive is not meant to penalize teachers. It is part of a province-wide audit to ensure transparency and financial accountability. All departments are undergoing similar adjustments.”
He added that recoveries will be made gradually, ensuring teachers face no sudden financial burden, and that the process will be recorded digitally for transparency.
Implementation Process for Recovery
The circular instructs all District Education Authorities (DEAs) to:
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Identify teachers who received conveyance allowances between March 2020 and August 2021.
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Calculate the total recoverable amount per teacher.
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Adjust the sum in upcoming salary slips or direct deposits to the government account.
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Send a compliance report to the Punjab School Education Department (SED).
Education officers who delay or ignore the directive may face administrative penalties under the Punjab Civil Service Rules.
Financial Impact and Public Reaction
The recovery order comes at a time when public-sector employees are already struggling with high living costs, increased utility bills, and no major salary hikes in 2025.
Teachers fear that deducting even a few thousand rupees could destabilize household budgets, especially for contractual staff and lower-grade educators.
Social media platforms are witnessing widespread discussion, with hashtags like #TeachersUnderPressure and #ConveyanceAllowanceIssue trending across Punjab.
Many users believe the move reflects poor management by the Finance Department rather than any wrongdoing by teachers.
Demands from the Teachers’ Community
The teaching community has appealed to the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Education Minister to:
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Immediately suspend or review the recovery directive.
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Waive recovery for employees earning below Grade 16.
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Form a joint committee to evaluate whether the payments can be legally written off.
If the government does not respond positively, unions have hinted at protest rallies and legal petitions in the Punjab Service Tribunal to safeguard teachers’ rights.
Conclusion: Teachers Await a Fair Decision
The Punjab government’s recovery of COVID-era conveyance allowances has quickly become one of the most debated administrative issues of 2025.
While the government insists the measure is based on accountability, educators say it punishes employees for a systemic lapse they never caused.
Teachers across Punjab are now hoping for a reconsideration or phased plan that balances financial transparency with compassion.
Until then, the education community continues to demand what they see as a fair and reasonable resolution — one that acknowledges their service during one of the hardest periods in Pakistan’s history.
