KASUR: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has enrolled his son in a government school in Kasur, joining children of teachers and school staff. The move highlights his commitment to public education reforms.
Hayat shared the decision on social media, stressing the importance of educational equality. The announcement received widespread praise, with many calling it an example of “leading by example.”
“I am proud that my son studies alongside the children of our Naib Qasids and teachers,” Hayat wrote.
This decision aligns with Punjab’s broader efforts to strengthen public education. The provincial government has allocated Rs661 billion for education in the current fiscal year, representing 24.4% of total non-development expenditures, with an additional Rs148 billion for development initiatives.
Earlier, an inspection squad set up by Hayat uncovered discrepancies in school enrollment records, revealing 1.8 million ‘ghost students,’ inflating numbers and causing an annual loss of Rs50 billion. The findings led to disciplinary actions against officials, and sweeping reforms, including the delivery of Rs10 billion worth of missing facilities within 90 days, are now underway.
Education experts emphasize that previous failures were rooted in systemic data manipulation, not funding shortages, and stress the need for administrative accountability in public education.
