The Punjab School Education Department has approved another phase of its government school Outsourcing programme.
Under Phase 4, around 600 government high schools for boys and girls are expected to be included.
The provincial government is likely to invite applications from interested parties during October. Officials are currently preparing the final list of schools for the latest phase.
The move follows earlier phases covering thousands of primary and middle schools across Punjab.
According to the provided information, 5,860 primary and middle schools have already entered the programme.
600 High Schools Expected in Phase 4
The latest Outsourcing phase will expand the programme to government high schools.
Both boys’ and girls’ institutions are expected to be part of the plan.
Officials have also reportedly discussed the initiative with senior representatives of teachers’ organisations.
Some union leaders have reportedly received assurances regarding the employment status of existing teachers.
According to these assurances, affected teachers would not be declared surplus. They would instead be allowed to complete their service before retirement.
Their pension and other employment benefits would also remain available under the reported arrangement.
Teachers Oppose Outsourcing Plan
However, several teachers’ representatives have strongly opposed the government’s plan. Those raising concerns include Muhammad Shafiq Bhulawalia and Sufi Ramzan Inqalabi.
Bashir Warraich, Nawaz Gondal and Chaudhry Zafran Barkat have also criticised the move.
Raja Amjad Mahmood is also among the teachers’ representatives who have expressed concerns.
They argue that outsourcing high schools could particularly affect students from low-income families. Children of lower-grade government employees could also face difficulties, according to the representatives.
Their concerns particularly focus on students seeking education through the matriculation level.
Teachers Demand Regular Recruitment
Teachers’ representatives have urged the government to fill vacant teaching positions through regular recruitment.
They argue this approach should be prioritised instead of transferring schools to private operators. The representatives also criticised the continued recruitment of temporary teachers and school interns.
According to them, these workers receive monthly salaries ranging between Rs40,000 and Rs50,000.
Teachers’ leaders further claimed that regular recruitment opportunities could decline under continued Outsourcing.
They fear schools could increasingly depend on temporary or session-based teaching contracts.
The representatives also claimed the government aims to outsource around half of Punjab’s government schools by December 31, 2027.
The government has not provided that target in the reference information as an independently confirmed official commitment.
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Phase 4 will mark another major expansion of Punjab’s school outsourcing programme if implemented as planned.
