Punjab Education Department Approves Fourth Phase of School Outsourcing

What happened

The Punjab Education Department has approved the fourth phase of outsourcing government schools [1, 2]. This phase involves 6,460 schools, consisting of 5,860 primary and middle schools and 600 high schools, which are being included in the program for the first time [1, 2]. The department has already completed the outsourcing of 13,600 schools during the first three phases [1, 2].

In addition to outsourcing, the department has decided to close schools that have enrollments of up to 100 students [1, 2]. The government has also approved a census of students and schools across the province [2]. The Director of Public Instruction (Secondary Education), Punjab, has instructed chief executive officers of all district education authorities to conduct this census, requiring all schools to complete the verification, correction, and validation of their data within 48 hours [2].

Regarding admissions, the department has directed government schools to continue the admission process until October 31, with a ban on accepting new students starting November 1 [1, 2]. School heads have been ordered to finish all admission processes by the October 31 deadline [1, 2].

Who is affected

Teachers’ organizations and parents have condemned the decision and requested its withdrawal [1, 2]. Sufi Ramzan Inqalabi, Central President of the Punjab Teachers Union, Shafiq Bhalwalia, Secretary of the Education Pensioners Association, and Dr. Sagheer Alam, former president of the Headmasters Association, stated that outsourcing has increased the number of children leaving school [1, 2].

These representatives warned that including high schools in the program could cause many girls in rural areas to leave their education [1, 2]. They also noted that high schools possess extensive campuses and facilities [1, 2]. Teachers’ groups stated they intend to launch protests alongside non-teaching staff organizations [1, 2]. They also warned that regular teachers could be declared surplus and replaced by daily-wage staff hired on fixed lump-sum salaries [1, 2].

What students should do next

• Ensure all admission processes are completed by the October 31 deadline [1, 2].
• Note that no new student admissions will be accepted starting November 1 [1, 2].