The Punjab Education Department has mandated that all private schools across the province must offer free education to 10 percent of their total enrolled students. The directive primarily targets children from low-income backgrounds, those in need, and children with special needs.
To ensure proper implementation, the department is reactivating the Private Schools Ordinance 2014, which allows for strict enforcement of such educational mandates. Education officers across districts have been instructed to monitor and report compliance.
The Ministry of Education has also begun compiling lists of students eligible for free education. Private institutions are required to submit student admission details, with the survey process expected to conclude by August 31, following the end of the summer break.
Punjab’s Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat emphasized that the provincial government will not tolerate any negligence on the part of private educational institutions. He stated that schools must fully cooperate and uphold their social responsibility.
In a significant move towards inclusive education, the minister further announced that Punjab is set to open its first-ever autism schools, dedicated to supporting children with special needs and providing tailored educational services.
This development marks a progressive step towards equitable education in Punjab, aiming to reduce the financial burden on disadvantaged families and integrate children with special needs into the mainstream education system.
