Move to privatise government schools expedited

The Punjab School Education Department (SED) has expedited the process of privatising 350 government schools in the Rawalpindi division, despite fierce resistance from teachers' associations.

This includes all their assets including buildings, playgrounds, and laboratories, with an estimated worth of billions of rupees. Once under the control of the private sector, the government will relinquish all direct control and authority over these public schools.

According to sources, authorities in four districts in the Rawalpindi division, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum, have been informed of this decision.

In total, 1,000 A-class high schools for girls and boys across Punjab, including Rawalpindi division, have been approved for transfer to "Muslim Hands", a non-profit organisation.

The list of these schools has already been prepared to be handed over to the NGO. Previously, 15,000 girls' and boys' schools were being transferred to various organisations, including Punjab Education Foundation, Punjab Education Initiative Management Authority, Punjab Daanish School and Centre of Excellence, as per the released list.

On the other hand, the Punjab Headmasters Association, Punjab Teachers Union, Educators Association, Punjab SES Association, and All Pakistan Clerks Association, have expressed strong opposition to this decision.

They have announced protests and rallies against the move, emphasising that the role of a caretaker government is limited to managing day-to-day affairs and elections. They argue that policy-making decisions require legislative action, and with the Punjab Assembly currently non-existent, such decisions should not be made.

Taking a jibe at the current govt, Punjab Teachers Union central leader Shahid Mubarak suggested instead of transferring govt schools, the caretaker government should be handed over to Muslim Hands.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.