Govt set to privatise another 4,453 schools

Controversial plan likely to exacerbate issue of out-of-school children in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government is set to complete the second phase of its controversial plan to privatise government schools.

By next week, another 4,453 schools will be transferred to the private sector and NGOs.

This move follows the first phase of the privatisation process, during which 5,863 schools were handed over to NGOs and private sector entities and have been under the management of these organisations since August 15.

The privatisation efforts are part of a broader strategy by the Punjab govt, which aims to privatise 13,219 schools eventually. The third phase of this plan is scheduled for early September, during which an additional 2,903 schools will be privatised. Once these phases are completed, the number of govt-controlled schools in Punjab will reduce significantly, leaving only 35,000 under direct administration.

Looking ahead, the govt has set its sights on privatising another 15,000 schools by 2025.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken a firm stance on the issue, rejecting calls from teachers' organisations to halt the privatisation. She argues that privatisation will improve the education system, enhancing the conditions of schools and ultimately improving academic results.

However, this move has sparked fierce opposition from teachers' associations across the province.

The Punjab Primary Elementary and Secondary Teachers Association and the Central Secretary of SES Teachers Association have both condemned the government's decision.

They describe the privatisation as a "cruel" act, accusing the government of violating its constitutional responsibility to provide free education up to the matriculation level under Section 25A.

The associations expressed concern that privatisation will result in increased fees, making education unaffordable for many children from poorer families.

Rana Liaquat Ali, Secretary General of the Punjab Teachers Union, has also voiced his strong criticism of the government's plans. He accused the ruling PML-N govt of abandoning not only education but also healthcare.

He claimed that the government's long-term plan is to retain only 5,000 to 10,000 government schools while handing over the rest to private entities. He warned that this approach will exacerbate the issue of out-of-school children in Punjab, which currently stands at 27 million due to widespread poverty. According to Ali, the privatisation of schools will double this number within the next two to three years, leading to what he describes as a looming social disaster.