The Punjab government has announced plans to privatize 4,453 government schools in the second phase of its reform strategy. This move will involve transferring the management of these schools to private sector entities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) by next week.
This follows the first phase, in which 5,863 schools were privatized. The government aims to privatize a total of 13,219 schools, with the third phase set for early September, during which an additional 2,903 schools will be transferred to private management. Once these phases are complete, the number of government-operated schools in Punjab will be significantly reduced to approximately 35,000.
The government plans to privatize an additional 15,000 schools by 2025. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has defended the initiative, claiming it will enhance the education system and improve academic outcomes. However, the privatization plan has faced strong opposition from teachers’ associations throughout the province.
