3,795 apply for over 5k vacancies of headmasters, headmistresses
LAHORE:
The Punjab School Education Department is facing an administrative challenge as government schoolteachers are showing little interest in taking up the role of headmaster and headmistress.
According to official sources, only 3,795 teachers have applied against 5,051 vacant positions to head the academic staff across the province.
This growing reluctance from the teaching community is being attributed to what they describe as “non-supportive education policies” and the government’s indifferent attitude toward the public education sector. Many teachers feel disheartened by the recent outsourcing initiatives and lack of incentives for those taking on leadership roles.
“The current policies and environment are not conducive for those who wish to take charge. Teachers feel they will not be empowered or supported as headmasters, so they are opting out,” said Punjab Teachers Union Secretary General Rana Liaqat Ali while commenting on the matter.
Despite the shortage of candidates, the school education department has announced that it will proceed with the recruitment process.
Written tests for posts are scheduled in all districts on July 22. The test carries 50 marks, and successful candidates will be appointed as headmasters in Grade 17 to 19.
The department shared that the number of candidates in Lahore is 200, Attock 122, Bahawalnagar 128, Bahawalpur 90, Bhakkar 96, Chakwal 84, Chiniot 48, Dera Ghazi Khan 102, Faisalabad 194, Gujranwala 110, Gujrat 125, Hafizabad 33, Jhang 79, Jhelum 78, Kasur 93, Khanewal 153, Khushab 66, Layyah 96, Lodhran 40, Mandi Bahauddin 61, Mianwali 138, Multan 158, Muzaffargarh 111, Nankana Sahib 41, Narowal 98, Okara 108, Pakpattan 75, Rahim Yar Khan 103, Rajanpur 44, Rawalpindi 238, Sahiwal 114, Sargodha 142, Sheikhupura 56, Sialkot 142, Toba Tek Singh 153 and Vehari 66. Arrangements for conducting the test have been finalized and duties assigned to supervisory staff. It is estimated that over 100,000 teaching posts remain vacant in government schools across the province, severely affecting educational outcomes. The absence of headmasters and headmistresses in the boys’ and girls’ schools is exacerbating the administrative and academic situation.
Hundreds of schools in the province are functioning without principals or head teachers, leading to declining discipline, academic monitoring and learning environment. A significant number of women teachers are also set to appear for posts of headmistress. An education expert called for improvement of the working conditions, incentives and autonomy for school heads. He warned that the system risked deterioration without reform. “There is no motivation to take charge as a headmaster when there is no administrative power, protection or consistent policy. We need reform,” added Rana Liaqat. The ongoing conditions have left thousands of government schools across the province without leadership. Meanwhile, the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) announced on Friday the results of its tests for appointment to 16 posts in various departments. According to the PPSC secretary, 540 candidates were successful for 30 posts of data entry operator in Special Branch.
News published in the Express Tribune on 20th July 2025
