Latest news with #PunjabSchoolEducationDepartment
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Privatised schools report theft of equipment
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
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Heatwave forces early summer vacations
An ongoing heatwave in Punjab has forced the provincial government to reduce school hours and announce early summer holidays from May 28. The school timings till the beginning of the holidays will be from 7:30am to 11:30am. According to a notification, the Punjab School Education Department announced on Tuesday that the educational institutions would be closed for summer holidays from May 28 instead of June 1 as announced earlier. The schools across the province will reopen after the holidays on August 15. The Punjab Higher Education Department also announced that the summer vacations in colleges and universities would begin on May 28. A spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department said the prevailing heatwave was likely to continue during the ongoing week. The maximum temperature in Lahore on Tuesday was recorded as 42 degree Celsius. The spokesman said a high pressure is likely to persist in upper atmosphere during the current week. Under the influence of this meteorological condition, day temperatures were likely to remain four to 6°C above normal in South Punjab till May 24. The day temperatures in central and upper Punjab are likely to remain up to 7°C above normal during the period. Dust storms and gusty winds are expected at isolated places in the plain areas due to excessive heat during the period. Due to the heatwave, the residents, especially children, women and senior citizens have been advised to take precautionary measures, avoid direct exposure to sunlight during the day time and remain hydrated. Farmers were advised to manage their crop activities while keeping in view the weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued an alert regarding temperature rise and heatwave. Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed issued instructions to the commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain alert. He stated that the departments concerned, including the district administrations, should be on alert in view of the heatwave. The alert has been also been issued to the departments of school education, health, transport, local government and Rescue 1122, sharing concerns regarding the temperature rise and heatwave in major cities and plains of Punjab till May 24. There is a possibility of an unusual increase in temperature in the next few days. Due to the heatwave, there are also chances of strong winds and thunderstorms in some places in the plains. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that an alert has been issued to the district administrations to ensure the supply of clean water in public places. The provision of first aid for heatstroke should be ensured in hospitals and mobile health units, he said. With additional input from APP
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Government privatises 4,789 more schools
The Punjab School Education Department has privatised an additional 4,789 public schools in the second phase of its ongoing privatisation drive. The list of these schools has now been made public. With this phase, the total number of public schools in Punjab has dropped further to 38,154. The third phase of the privatisation plan is scheduled to take place after Eid, with applications already being invited. In this phase, 5,100 more schools will be sold, further reducing the total count of public schools to 33,054. Initially, Punjab had 48,790 government schools. The first phase saw 5,857 schools privatised, bringing the number down to 42,937. The third phase is expected to be completed by May 31, before the summer break. Alongside this, the education department has initiated a "rationalisation" process for teachers and non-teaching staff, seeking data from education officers to determine staffing adjustments. Sources indicate that schools with less than 100 students will be prioritised for privatisation in this phase. In the second phase, 45 per cent of the privatised schools were handed over to NGOs, while the rest were transferred to individuals, including entrepreneurs. The finalisation of the school list was delayed by a month due to extended scrutiny, as over 20,400 applications were received from across Punjab.
