Fears grow over education decline in privatised schools

LAHORE: Mounting concern has been expressed over conditions in nearly 13,000 schools in Punjab, including in Rawalpindi district, that have been transferred to private operators over the past two years under outsourcing and public-private partnership arrangements.

According to education sector representatives cited by Express Tribune, many of these institutions are facing shortages of basic facilities such as electricity, water, furniture and other essential items. They also said some outsourced schools had effectively been abandoned, with buildings locked and left unused.

Complaints have also increased over cost-cutting during school hours. In one incident at a school being run under a public-private partnership arrangement, management was accused of switching off ceiling fans during classes to reduce electricity costs. A video of the episode circulated widely on social media and led to the registration of an FIR against the school administration.

Unions raise concerns over pay and school conditions

Muhammad Shafiq Bhalwalia, secretary general of the Schools Education Pensioners Association, along with Punjab Teachers Union central president Ramzan Inqalabi and union leaders Bashir Warraich and Amjad Mahmood, said around 13,000 primary, elementary and high schools had been outsourced in the last two years. They said many of these schools were now struggling with administrative problems and deteriorating infrastructure.

The union representatives alleged that after schools are handed to private operators under partnership models, women teachers with matriculation or FA qualifications are often hired on monthly salaries between Rs7,000 and Rs10,000, while students are charged about Rs1,500 each in fees.

They further alleged violations of employment terms in outsourced schools. According to the representatives, teachers are made to sign salary receipts showing Rs17,000 per month even though they actually receive Rs7,000. Allegations have also surfaced regarding fake student enrolments.

The education leaders said the continued transfer of public schools to private management was closing off access to free education. They urged the government to immediately stop the privatisation of educational institutions, saying that providing free education is both a constitutional and moral obligation of the state.

Thousands of schools also lack permanent heads

Punjab’s wider public school system is also facing an administrative shortfall at the high and higher secondary level. A total of 9,217 high and higher secondary schools are operating under the Punjab Education Department, but permanent headmasters, headmistresses and principals have not been appointed in these institutions for the past three years.

As a result, schools are being run through ad hoc arrangements focused on day-to-day management. Of the 9,217 institutions, only 2,973 have permanent heads, while 6,244 are functioning without regular administrative leadership.

This means nearly two-thirds of Punjab’s high and higher secondary schools are operating without permanent heads. Although some institutions have been assigned temporary acting heads, these appointments are also interim and have further compounded administrative and academic difficulties.