Punjab Explores Private Sector Partnership for Schools

The Punjab School Education Department has finalized plans to privatize 500 public middle and high schools by the end of November, following the earlier privatization of 4,500 primary schools.

This move has sparked outrage among educators, who have announced a major sit-in protest in Lahore.

The department will release advertisements for the middle and high schools up for privatization this month. Meanwhile, 4,500 primary schools have already been handed over to private owners, and applications for the sale of an additional 7,500 primary schools are being accepted until November 25.

By November’s end, 500 middle and high schools will also be listed for privatization.

According to The Express Tribune, the government aims to privatize 20,000 to 25,000 primary, middle, and high schools by April 1, 2025. Around 130,000 teachers are expected to be moved to a surplus pool, and the education budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year is reportedly set to be slashed by 40–50%.

Leaders of the Grand Teachers Alliance (GDA), including Rana Liaquat, Basharat Iqbal Raja, and Shafiq Bhalwalia, have accused the PML-N-led Punjab government of deprioritizing education and healthcare, highlighting the ongoing privatization of basic health centers. They warn that school privatization will make education unaffordable for the poor and children of lower-grade government employees, further exacerbating inequalities.

The GDA leaders also noted that textbook prices have already risen by 50%, with another 25% hike anticipated next year. They predict that the number of out-of-school children in Punjab will exceed 30 million by December 31, 2024.

The GDA has reaffirmed its plan for a large-scale protest in Lahore to oppose these measures, pledging to continue until their demands are addressed.

News Courtesy:Pro Pakistani