RAWALPINDI: Facing declining admissions, the Education Department has directed all public school teachers and non-teaching staff to enrol their children in government schools and submit affidavits confirming compliance. Teachers’ unions have strongly rejected the directive.
Employees are required to withdraw their children from private institutions and shift them to public schools without specific admission criteria. Muhammad Shafiq Bhalowalia of the Punjab SES Teachers Association said the move could disrupt students’ education, urging improvements in public schools to attract enrolments voluntarily.
Punjab Teachers Union Secretary General Rana Liaqat criticised public school delays in exams and results compared to private and NGO-run institutions offering free education and stipends. He demanded that employees be given time until the next academic year to transfer their children.
Rawalpindi district has about 1,550 government schools against 3,100 registered and 2,500 unregistered private schools. District Education Authority CEO Amanullah said efforts are ongoing to meet admission targets through a door-to-door campaign and simplified procedures by removing entrance tests and school leaving certificate requirements.
