(Web Desk Monitoring) — The Punjab government has finalized the privatisation of 350 government schools in Rawalpindi and 5,863 schools across the province, marking a major shift in the region’s public education system.
This move comes despite widespread protests and strikes by teachers’ organisations. This week, the schools will be officially transferred to NGOs, the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF), and various purchasing groups.
The privatisation will continue in a second phase, involving an additional 7,137 government schools. Applications are currently under review, and these schools are expected to come under private management starting August 15.
Teachers from the privatised schools have the option to transfer to other government institutions. The new management will recruit their own teachers and headmasters. Salaries in the privatised schools will be set at Rs50,000 for administrators and principals, with teachers earning between Rs30,000 and Rs40,000. Recruitment at these salary levels has already commenced, and official notifications for the privatisation have been issued. The second phase of privatisation is slated for completion by August 14.
The privatisation decision has been met with strong opposition from teachers’ organizations. Abdul Rauf Kayani, head of the Punjab Primary, Elementary, and Secondary Teachers Association, condemned the government for what he views as a breach of constitutional obligations to provide free education up to matriculation. He argues that the sale of government schools could lead to the acquisition of valuable land in commercial areas and warned of potential protests.
Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalia, Central Secretary of the Punjab SES Teachers Association, expressed concerns that privatization will drive up education costs and fees across Punjab. He highlighted that the sale of primary schools could adversely affect children from low-income families who may struggle with the increased fees.
Criticism has also been directed at the decision to transfer teachers from the privatized schools. Educators Association President Basharat Iqbal Raja warned that privatization could result in a rise in the number of out-of-school children. He estimated that the current 27 million out-of-school children in Punjab could increase to 30 million due to higher fees and the loss of free books, forcing many poor families to withdraw their children from school.
In response to the privatization, the education department has instructed district education officers to reclaim government property from the privatized schools, adding to the ongoing controversy surrounding the initiative and raising concerns about its impact on access to education for underprivileged children.
