In the last six months, more than 10,000 public schools were privatised by the Punjab School Education Department, and reports now reveal widespread theft from many of these schools.
Stolen items include fans, furniture, tables, chairs, and solar panels. Grade-IV employees are being blamed, while inquiries against unknown individuals have also been initiated.
According to departmental sources, schools in remote rural areas have seen extensive loss of school assets.
A high-level investigation is underway to compile inventory data and identify missing items. Following this, school watchmen, security guards, and other junior staff will be questioned.
Officials claim some personnel have taken stolen items for personal use and are being closely monitored.
The department has warned of strict disciplinary action under the PEEDA Act and urged staff to voluntarily return any stolen property.
The Punjab School Education Department had privatised an additional 4,789 public schools in the second phase of the privatisation drive in March.
The list of these schools were made public. With this phase, the total number of public schools in Punjab has dropped further to 38,154.
The third phase, 5,100 more schools were to be sold, further reducing the total count of public schools to 33,054.
Punjab to dismiss contract teachers
The Punjab School Education Department has decided to terminate the services of 10,202 temporary schoolteachers who were hired for four months on daily wages to address the shortage of staff in government schools.
Their temporary employment period ends on May 31, and they will be effectively relieved of their duties on May 28 with the commencement of the summer vacation.
The teachers set to be dismissed include 2,405 primary schoolteachers, 6,012
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