LAHORE: The Punjab government on Thursday initiated privatisation of 13,000 public schools across the province with an aim of bringing about transformation in the education sector.

This move is part of the government`s broader Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aimed at enhancing the quality of education and increasing accessibility for millions of students.

On Thursday, the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF), which oversees 13,000 primary schools in various districts with an enrollment of approximately 18 million students, took a major step towards implementing this initiative.

The government signed a memoran-dum of understanding (MoU) with private sector entities to hand over 5,863 public schools in the first phase of the plan. The second and third phases will involve the transfer of 4,000 schools each, marking a comprehensive overhaul of the public education system in the province.

Under the terms of the PPP model, the government will provide Rs650 per student per month to the private sector, which will be responsible for managing teachers and providing necessary infrastructure. This initiative is designed to ensure that primary education remains free for students, while the private sector assumes responsibility for the operational aspects of the schools.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Children`s Library Complex in Lahore, with Punjab Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat serving as the chief guest. Other prominent figures in attendance included School Education Department (SED) Secretary Khalid Nazir Wattoo, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education Nosheen Adnan, Member Chief Minister`s TaskForce Muzammil Mehmood, Programme Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU) Director Farooq Rasheed, and PEF Managing Director Shahid Farid.

Agreements were signed with 21 NGOs, 12 educational chains, and one Ed-tech firm, which will collectively manage 3,650 public schools under the PPP model.

Public Schools Reorganisation Program (PSRP) Director Shafiq Ahmad signed the agreements on behalf of the foundation. The process of finalising agreements with additional private educational partners, selected through a transparent process, will continue until Sept 5, 2024.

Minister Hayat emphasisd that this initiative is expected to provide worldclass education free of cost to underprivileged students across Punjab.

He further stated that the programme aims to bring over 1.8 million out-ofschool children back into the education system.

Minister Hayat also highlighted that the quality of education will be enhanced through the capacity building of teachers in these schools. Additionally, high-per-forming primary schools are slated for upgrades to the elementary level, ensuring that students in those areas have access to quality education close to their homes.

However, the privatisation plan has not been without its critics.

Punjab Teacher Union (PTU) General Secretary Rana Liaqat expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of the PPP model, arguing that it has failed to deliver results in the past.

He raised concerns about the adequacy of the Rs650 per student allocation, suggesting that it would be insufficient for the private sector to manage school expenses and maintain educational quality.

Mr Liaqat also criticised the hiring practices for these schools, noting that many teachers with qualifications below matriculation are employed on salaries as low as Rs5,000 per month.

He called on the government to reconsider its approach, suggesting that the funds could be better spent on afternoon schools and the hiring of school interns with a minimum salary of Rs15,000 to teach students for one to two hours daily.