Punjab’s Education Department has approved the fourth phase of outsourcing government schools, covering 6,460 institutions, including 5,860 primary and middle schools. The latest phase will also include 600 high schools for the first time, while the department has decided to close schools with enrolments of up to 100 students.
The department has already outsourced 13,600 schools during the first three phases. It has directed government schools to continue admissions until October 31 and stop accepting new students from November 1, instructing school heads to complete the process before the deadline.
Teachers’ organizations and parents have opposed the decision, warning that outsourcing could increase school dropout rates, particularly among girls in rural areas. Their representatives have urged the government to protect high schools and warned that the next phase could lead to regular teachers being declared surplus and replaced with daily-wage staff. Teachers’ groups have also announced plans to launch protests with non-teaching staff organizations.