LAHORE: The Punjab Education Department on Monday formally abolished 43,960 teaching and non-teaching posts in 10,652 schools under the ongoing Punjab Schools Reorganization Program (PSRP).
The decision has been ratified, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, marking a major change in public education policy.
The program has so far privatized 5,863 schools in its first phase and 4,789 in the second phase. The third phase is now underway, targeting another 5,100 schools.
District Education Authorities of all 43 districts, including Rawalpindi, have been directed to issue local notifications to confirm the removal of posts in outsourced schools.
The Punjab Teachers Union and other educationists have strongly condemned the move. Union leaders Rana Liaquat and Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalya slammed the government for “selling out” public education, warning that buildings and playgrounds could be next.
As the third phase begins, affected staff have started lobbying for transfers, reportedly seeking political support and even offering money to avoid being affected.
PESTA President Abdul Rauf Kayani called the decision unconstitutional and urged the government to cut back on luxury spending.
With the number of out-of-school children already at 27 million and expected to reach 30 million next year, the education sector is facing one of its gravest crises.
