The Education Department has announced the third phase of its school privatisation programme, which will begin in December across Punjab.
Under the new plan, 4,500 primary, middle and high schools will be transferred to private operators for long-term management.
Officials say the initiative targets schools with 100 or fewer students, all of which will now be shifted to private control.
District authorities have been directed to submit updated lists of eligible institutions to finalise arrangements before the programme’s launch.
Teachers working at the affected schools will be reassigned to nearby campuses or placed in a provincial surplus pool.
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For the first time, high schools have also been included in the privatisation process, reflecting a broader restructuring strategy.
Teacher organisations have sharply criticised the announcement, calling it harmful for students and destabilising for the education system.
Leaders from multiple unions urged the government to reverse the decision and warned of widespread disruption if the policy proceeds.
Union representatives argued that privatisation, coupled with teacher rationalisation, would cause significant administrative confusion across public schools.
They said transferring campuses to private operators could increase fees and place additional pressure on families already facing financial strain.
