As many as 2,000 to 3,000 teachers are set to retire under a decision by the Punjab School Education Department as part of a revised policy emphasizing early retirement before completing their tenure.
According to a report by Pak Observer citing sources on Friday, teachers with qualifications up to matriculation will be prioritized for retirement. Additionally, teachers aged up to 50 years will be given the option to retire voluntarily.
The Punjab School Education Department has requested data on all teachers within this age bracket. Officials have confirmed that a proposal to amend the retirement policy has been sent to the Chief Secretary of Punjab.
Under current rules, teachers aged 55 years or above are eligible for premature retirement. The new policy, which focuses on early retirement, has raised concerns among teachers, students, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
Pakistan faces significant challenges in the field of education, with millions of children deprived of their right to basic schooling. According to reports, nearly 22.8 million children aged 5-16 years are out of school, making Pakistan one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.
Factors such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of trained teachers contribute to this crisis. Many rural areas lack proper schools, and those that do exist often have unsafe buildings, insufficient facilities, and overcrowded classrooms.
