Punjab rolls out new school rules

Approves creation of Zakat Banks; imposes ban on teachers' mobile phone use

RAWALPINDI:

A key meeting of district education authorities regarding improvements in teaching and academic standards for the 2026-27 academic session concluded on Thursday with the approval of a comprehensive set of administrative and academic measures across Punjab.

Under decisions taken at the meeting, all government schools will be required to raise donations to meet operational expenses and establish a "Zakat Bank" to support deserving students and school needs. Schools will also display donor boards listing contributors.

The meeting approved 34 key points, including security arrangements, new admissions, annual examinations and operational standard operating procedures (SOPs) for schools.

The session was attended by the Chief Executive Officer (Education), District Education Officers (DEOs) and Deputy District Education Officers (DDEOs).

Officials directed that school security must be maintained at all times. Guards or gatekeepers must remain present at the gate throughout school hours, and metal detectors must be functional.

Schools have also been instructed to establish book banks, where surplus textbooks from various classes will be collected and managed by a designated teacher acting as the Book Bank In-charge.

A vigorous admissions campaign will be launched with a minimum target of a seven per cent increase in enrolment. Teachers will be assigned admission targets, while banners and brochures will be displayed at school gates and surrounding areas. Schools will also coordinate with local representatives and nearby feeder schools to boost enrolment.

The meeting decided that School-Based Assessment (SBA) will continue throughout school hours, after which marking centres will be established where teachers will check examination papers and upload results regularly.

Classrooms will be formally allocated to teachers, and before-and-after presentations of classroom decoration will be prepared.

Officials stressed that all official correspondence must be processed promptly, and no pending communication will be tolerated.

A complete ban on mobile phone use by teachers during school hours has been imposed. Teachers will be required to deposit their phones in the office, while only the headteacher and junior clerk will be allowed to keep their phones during duty hours.

School premises will be divided among Class-IV staff for maintenance and monitoring. All students must attend school in complete and proper uniform, and those without uniform will not be permitted entry.

Classrooms must maintain a positive and academic environment, with charts, timetables, themes, class mottos, slogans and class names clearly displayed inside and outside.

Schools will set institutional targets and display them prominently in offices, indicating which objectives have been completed and which remain in progress. Teachers will not be allowed to leave the station without approved leave. Absences must be reported immediately to cluster heads and recorded without delay.