Punjab to outsource government schools under PSRP

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that around 14,000 government schools will be outsourced under the Public Schools Reorganisation Programme (PSRP).

“In the first phase, 5,800 schools will be outsourced,” Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said while inaugurating the Public Schools Reorganization Programme. “We will supervise and monitor them ourselves,” a press release issued here said.

“There are 50,000 schools in Punjab and it is difficult to monitor each school at all times,” she said. The people who have been outsourced have become part of the Punjab government’s team.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Public Schools Reorganization Program that will save Rs. 40 billion and provide employment to 70 thousand educated youth. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also announced construction of preschools in other districts after Lahore. The Chief Minister distributed licenses for the Public Schools Reorganization Program during the ceremony.

Read more: CM Maryam approves school reorganization program in Punjab

Other persons including three sisters of Dera Ghazi Khan and Akhut, Public Schools Reorganization Programme (PSRP) and Muslim Hands were also given licenses, CM Maryam said. She also addressed the ceremony of Public Schools Reorganization Programme.

The CM said, “I can swear that outsourcing of schools has been undertaken on 100 percent merit basis. The services of guest teachers can also be hired for English speaking students. The curriculum in the schools will be by the Punjab government and the supervision will also be done by the Punjab government. Under the Public School Reorganisation Programme, all schools will be upgraded from five to eight classes. A theme should be set in schools to awaken the talents of children.”

She said: “Sports talent will emerge in the government schools. We will provide transport facilities to girls’ educational institutions. The Public School Reorganization Programme is not a business proposition but a sacred responsibility. It is essential to arrange the best curriculum for the children. The children of government schools are very intelligent and have no shortcomings, they achieve top positions despite the lack of facilities.”

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif added, “If the children are given facilities like private schools, then they can easily compete with the children of private schools. If the schools that are outsourced do innovative work that exceeds our expectations, then we will also give them extra money. The responsibility of determining the direction of the country lies with the Ministry of Education and the relevant minister.

CM Maryam said that education is close to my heart, Alhamdulillah, what we dreamed has been launched today. I have seen it by visiting myself, and I make decisions while sitting in the office. I visit the field and judge myself. We introduce projects that are aimed at maximum help for the people at all levels. We will succeed in improving the quality of education.

CM Maryam said the mafia has created a conspiracy narrative against the Public School Reorganization Programme that schools are being given to the contractors and we will not let this happen. A lot of good practice has been adopted for outsourcing schools and the solution to the problems of schools lies in public-private partnership.”

The CM said: “Dozens of applications were received for each school, including well-known chain schools. Under the Public School Reorganization Program, there is improvement in the building, cleanliness, appearance and lab. The windows of the schools are broken in winter and the fans are broken in summer. A zebra crossing is being constructed at each school for the safety of children.

CM Maryam said that staff will also be appointed to help children cross the road. The Punjab government has imposed a ban on transport that plays without obtaining fitness certificates and indulges in overloading. The situation in schools in Punjab is still better compared to other provinces. There are still some schools in Punjab where there are 200 children and only two teachers. There is also a school with 40 teachers and two children.