Teaching, non-teaching posts abolished in Punjab

The Punjab Education Department has formally abolished 43,960 teaching and non-teaching posts across 10652 schools under the ongoing Punjab Schools Reorganisation Programme (PSRP).

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance have officially ratified a major shift in public education policy by continuing the school privatization program. According to the notification, the third phase of the program has begun, aiming to outsource another 5,100 schools.

In earlier phases, 5,863 schools were privatized in the first phase and 4,789 in the second. Now, all 43 District Education Authorities, including Rawalpindi, have been directed to issue local notifications confirming the removal of posts in outsourced schools.

This move has sparked strong criticism from the Punjab Teachers Union and education experts. Union leaders Rana Liaquat and Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalya condemned the decision, accusing the government of selling out public education. They warned that school buildings and playgrounds might be at risk in the future.

As the third phase moves forward, affected teaching staff have started seeking transfers and political backing to avoid being impacted. Reports suggest that some are even offering money to secure safer postings.

PESTA President Abdul Rauf Kayani labeled the decision unconstitutional and urged the government to reduce luxury expenses instead of targeting education.

With 27 million children already out of school and the number expected to rise to 30 million next year, the education system is under serious pressure. Experts fear that continuing privatization could deepen the crisis rather than solve it.