750 schools in Sindh outsourced

Schools to operate under public-private partnerships for 10 years

KARACHI:

The Sindh government on Tuesday approved handing over the management of 750 government schools to private operators under 10-year contracts, as part of a broader push to improve public services and attract private investment through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The decision was taken at the 53rd meeting of the PPP Policy Board, chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at his office. The board also approved plans to develop Keti Bandar as an integrated maritime and economic hub, attract industrial investment to the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and overhaul Sukkur's water supply and sewerage infrastructure.

Under the second phase of the education initiative, 750 schools will be handed over to private education management organisations following a three-month preparatory period. The institutions include 453 schools under the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project, 295 under the Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation (SELECT) programme and two English-medium Peoples Schools.

The private operators will be responsible for teachers' salaries, non-teaching staff, administrative expenses, uniforms, stationery and other essential services, with the government providing financial support. The schools have a combined capacity of 345,940 students, while 188,852 are currently enrolled. The board also approved a technical and financial evaluation committee and an open national competitive bidding process through the e-PADS platform.

In another major decision, the board approved a revised joint venture model for the Dhabeji SEZ, replacing the previously approved build-operate-transfer arrangement. Under the new framework, the Sindh government, through the Sindh Economic Zones Management Company, will partner with private investors.

The government will contribute land and completed development works, while private partners will provide capital, technical expertise and investment for the zone's development and management.

The project covers around 1,171 acres, including 1,071 acres for industrial activities and 100 acres for commercial use.