The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to Outsource thousands of public schools across the province as part of a major education reform plan. The decision follows a similar strategy previously introduced for public hospitals in the province.
According to the provincial education department, nearly 2,000 government primary schools will be handed over to private sector management under the new policy. Officials confirmed that the plan to Outsource schools has already received formal approval from the relevant authorities.
Education officials said the move aims to improve enrollment, teaching standards, and school management in underperforming institutions. Authorities believe private sector participation could help strengthen the education system and improve student outcomes in remote and low-performing areas.
So far, around 500 government schools have already been outsourced in different districts of the province. The government will provide financial support for the operation of these schools. Officials stated that each outsourced school will receive nearly Rs300,000 per month to cover salaries, administration, and other operational costs.
According to the education department, 233 schools located in winter zone areas have already been shifted under the outsourcing model. Authorities claimed that student enrollment in these schools has shown significant improvement after the transition.
Official figures show enrollment in the outsourced schools increased by 89 percent. The number of students reportedly rose from 4,086 to 7,718 after private management took control of the schools.
The government plans to further expand the initiative in the coming months. Officials said the main target is to increase the average enrollment in each school from 40 students to around 180 students within one year.
Authorities added that strict monitoring mechanisms will remain in place to assess the performance of the outsourced institutions. Contracts of private operators may be terminated if they fail to achieve the required enrollment and performance targets.
The KP government believes the decision to Outsource schools could help reduce pressure on the public education system while improving learning opportunities for students. Officials also said the model is being introduced gradually to evaluate its long-term effectiveness before broader implementation.
The move has already sparked discussion among education experts, teachers, and parents. Supporters believe private management may improve efficiency and accountability. However, critics have raised concerns regarding transparency, quality control, and the long-term impact on public education.
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Despite the debate, the provincial government remains committed to implementing the policy as part of its broader administrative and education sector reforms.
