The Punjab government has launched the Educators Punjab 30000 initiative to recruit visiting teachers and address the shortage of 115,000 teaching staff in government schools. Learn about the eligibility, salary, and recruitment details
LAHORE – In a significant move aimed at resolving the chronic shortage of educators across Punjab, the provincial government has announced plans to recruit 30,000 visiting teachers under the first phase of a broader education reform initiative. This major step comes as part of efforts by the School Education Department (SED) to bridge the massive gap in teaching staff, which currently stands at a staggering 115,000 vacancies across public sector schools in the province.
Table of Contents
Acute Teacher Shortage in Punjab Schools
The issue of teacher scarcity has plagued the education sector in Punjab for years. With student enrolment rising steadily, the need for qualified and committed teachers has become increasingly critical. The last large-scale hiring campaign for schoolteachers occurred in 2018, during the tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. At that time, thousands of teachers were inducted into the system, providing a temporary relief to the already burdened educational framework.
However, during the subsequent Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government, the recruitment pace slowed dramatically. Only around 400 to 500 schoolteachers were hired, and those appointments were limited to the districts of Murree and Mianwali. This negligible recruitment effort was far from enough to address the growing shortage, prompting concerns from educational stakeholders and parents alike.
Changes Introduced During PTI Regime
One of the major changes brought by the PTI government was the alteration of the recruitment process for government schoolteachers. They introduced a more competitive and examination-based hiring model, similar to the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) procedure. While this aimed to enhance the quality of education by ensuring merit-based hiring, it also caused delays and reduced the overall number of successful appointments.
In an effort to tackle the shortage of college teachers, the PTI administration also introduced the concept of College Teaching Interns (CTIs). This initiative allowed fresh graduates to be temporarily employed as teaching interns in public colleges across Punjab. These CTIs were paid a monthly stipend of Rs25,000 and played a vital role in maintaining academic continuity in colleges facing staff shortages.
Reintroduction of CTI Model in Schools
Given the success and impact of the CTI program in colleges, the current Punjab government has decided to implement a similar strategy in public schools. Under the new initiative, 30,000 visiting teachers will be recruited as a stopgap measure to mitigate the teacher shortage. These educators, though not permanent employees, will perform essential teaching duties in schools that are currently operating without sufficient staff.
The new policy allows graduates and qualified educationists to apply for these temporary teaching positions. While the remuneration details have yet to be officially confirmed, it is expected to be aligned with the CTI payment model, ensuring that teachers are adequately compensated for their services.
Strategic Educational Reform
Educators recruitment drive is being seen as a strategic and temporary solution to prevent academic disruption in Punjab’s government schools. With over 115,000 teaching posts still vacant, this initiative marks the beginning of a broader campaign to strengthen the educational infrastructure of the province.
According to education experts, if the government can effectively implement the visiting teacher model while concurrently preparing for permanent hiring campaigns, Punjab’s education system could see marked improvement in the coming years. The recruitment of 30,000 visiting teachers will help schools manage overcrowded classrooms, reduce the burden on existing staff, and ensure that students receive the attention and instruction they deserve.
Challenges and the Way Forward
While the decision to recruit visiting Educators teachers is being widely appreciated, experts emphasize the need for long-term recruitment plans. Temporary solutions like CTIs and visiting teachers help fill immediate gaps but do not replace the necessity of hiring full-time, professionally trained educators.
Additionally, there is a call for transparency and accountability in the recruitment process to ensure merit and efficiency. There is also the need for proper training and evaluation mechanisms to make sure the visiting teachers are up to the mark in terms of teaching standards.
Conclusion anout Educators
The Punjab government’s decision to induct 30,000 visiting Educators teachers is a timely and much-needed step in addressing the teacher shortage crisis. While it offers a temporary reprieve for the overburdened school system, it also signals the beginning of a renewed focus on educational reform. With the right planning, fair execution, and continued support, this initiative has the potential to significantly improve the quality of education in Punjab’s public schools
