The Punjab Education Department has formally abolished 43,960 teaching and non-teaching posts across 10,652 schools under the ongoing Punjab Schools Reorganisation Programme (PSRP).
A notification issued by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance confirmed the decision, marking a major shift in public education policy. The programme has so far privatised 5,863 schools in its first phase and 4,789 in the second. The third phase is now underway, targeting another 5,100 schools.
District education authorities across all 43 districts, including Rawalpindi, have been instructed to issue local notifications to confirm the removal of posts in outsourced schools.
The Punjab Teachers Union and other educators have strongly condemned the move. Union leaders Rana Liaqat and Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalya criticised the government for “selling” public education, warning that buildings and playgrounds might be next.
As the third phase begins, affected staff have started lobbying for transfers, reportedly seeking political help and even offering money to avoid being impacted.
PESTA President Abdul Rauf Kayani slammed the decision as unconstitutional, urging the government to cut luxury expenses instead.
With out-of-school children already reaching 27 million and projected to hit 30 million next year, the education sector faces one of its gravest crises.
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