The Punjab government has decided to privatize 4,453 schools government schools in the second phase.

This action includes transferring the school to the private sector and NGO management by next week. This follows the first phase, where 5,863 schools were handed over to private entities.

The government’s broader strategy aims to eventually privatize 13,219 schools, with the third phase scheduled for early September, where 2,903 more schools will be privatized.

Once these phases are complete, the number of government-controlled schools in Punjab will be significantly reduced, leaving only around 35,000 under direct administration.

The government has set a target to privatize another 15,000 schools by 2025.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has defended the privatization, arguing that it will improve the education system and academic results. However, this move has faced fierce opposition from teachers’ associations across the province.

The Punjab Primary Elementary and Secondary Teachers Association and the Central Secretary of SES Teachers Association have condemned the privatization, calling it a “cruel” act that violates the government’s constitutional responsibility to provide free education. They are concerned that privatization will lead to increased fees, making education unaffordable for many children from poorer families.

The Secretary General of the Punjab Teachers Union, Rana Liaquat Ali has also strongly criticized the government’s plans, accusing the ruling PML-N government of abandoning not only education but also healthcare.

He warned that the privatization of schools could double the number of out-of-school children in Punjab, leading to a looming social disaster.

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