The Punjab government has decided to launch the third phase of outsourcing public schools to the private sector, expanding the scope of its education reform drive across the province.
In the latest phase, 2,735 additional government schools will be handed over to private partners. In the first two phases, around 10,000 schools had already been outsourced under the Public School Reorganisation Programme.
According to officials of the School Education Department, the initiative aims to improve the quality of education and increase student enrolment while ensuring that free and quality education continues to be provided to students. Schools located in underdeveloped and remote areas have also been included in the programme.
Authorities have set March 31, 2026 as the deadline for submission of applications by interested partners. Selected entities will assume administrative control of the schools from April 1.
Following the announcement, the decision has drawn mixed reactions from teachers and sections of civil society, with some expressing concerns over job security and transparency, while others view the move as a step towards better management and improved educational outcomes.
