LAHORE: The Punjab government on 9th January unveiled a plan to address the staff shortage in public schools across the province.
The initiative is aimed at filling both teaching and non-teaching posts in public schools to improve the working of these institutions.
According to officials, the School Education Department (SED) has directed all CEOs of the District Education Authority (DEA) to submit detailed plans for recruitment against vacant posts in their respective jurisdictions.
They say that to oversee and streamline the recruitment process, a five-member committee has been formed. The committee, convened by the SED additional secretary and includes DPI of secondary and elementary education, deputy director monitoring, additional programme director, and another member from the department.
The committee will review the submitted plans and take decisions regarding the recruitment process.
The Punjab government’s plan also includes provisions for calling the staff of outsourced institutions. The step was expected to bring in additional resources and expertise, particularly for non-teaching roles, thereby supporting the overall functioning of schools.
The Monitoring Unit would also play a crucial role by providing lists of teachers and staff awaiting posting.
Additionally, it would also identify schools with existing vacancies and those requiring extra staff. The approach would ensure that resources were allocated where they were most needed, optimising the deployment of personnel.
Under the plan, teachers awaiting posting will not be assigned to schools that were scheduled to be outsourced in the second and third phases of the reform programme.
A senior SED official told Dawn that the recruitment plan was a part of the broader strategy to improve the quality of education by addressing staff shortages at schools.
He said that the government was trying to create a more conducive learning environment for students across the province by filling vacant posts and optimising staff deployment.
He said the initiative would enhance educational standards.
Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025
