The Punjab School Education Department has approved the fourth phase of its government school outsourcing programme, covering 6,460 schools across the province. The latest phase includes 5,860 primary and middle schools and 600 high schools, bringing secondary-level institutions into the programme for the first time.
The department has already outsourced 13,600 government schools during the first three phases. With the newly approved phase, the total number of schools included in the programme is expected to exceed 20,000.
Under the outsourcing model, the management of selected government schools is handed over to private operators, while the institutions remain part of the public education system. The programme is intended to improve school management and educational services.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from teachers’ organisations and parents, who have called for the government to reconsider the plan. They fear that outsourcing more schools, particularly high schools, could make education less accessible to children from low-income families and increase dropout rates among girls in rural areas.
Teachers’ representatives have also expressed concerns about employment conditions. They warn that regular teachers working at affected schools could face uncertainty over their positions and might be replaced by staff hired on fixed salaries. Teachers’ organisations have announced plans to protest against the decision.
The department has also decided to close government schools with enrolment of 100 students or fewer. Separately, schools have been directed to continue accepting new admissions until October 31, 2026, with admissions set to stop from November 1.
The outsourcing decision has renewed debate over the future of public education in Punjab, including the impact on students, teachers and families who depend on government schools for affordable education.
