Punjab to Hire 12,000 More School Teachers to Overcome Staff Shortage

The Punjab government has officially announced the recruitment of 12,000 new temporary school teachers to address the shortage of teaching staff across the province’s public sector schools. With this fresh move, the total number of School Teacher Interns (STIs) serving in Punjab’s educational institutions will reach nearly 24,000, marking one of the largest temporary hiring drives in recent years.

This initiative comes as part of the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the education system in Punjab, ensure quality teaching, and reduce the burden on existing teachers in overcrowded classrooms.

Formal Approval by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz

According to official sources, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has granted formal approval for the hiring plan. The Punjab government will soon publish an official advertisement inviting applications from eligible candidates across all districts.

The newly appointed teachers will be hired under the School Teacher Internship Program (STIs) on a four-month contract basis. They will be compensated with a monthly salary of up to Rs. 45,000, depending on their assigned level and qualifications.

The provincial education department has confirmed that this short-term initiative will not only support the smooth functioning of schools but also provide young graduates with valuable teaching experience.

Extension of Previous Contracts

The Education Minister of Punjab stated that the contracts of STIs recruited last year will also be extended. This step will help retain experienced temporary teachers who have already been contributing positively in schools across the province.

He added that the extension, along with the new batch of teachers, would ensure that government schools are not left understaffed, especially in rural and underserved areas where the teacher-student ratio remains alarmingly high.

Why Punjab is Hiring More Teachers

The decision to hire 12,000 additional school teachers has been taken due to multiple factors:

Teacher Shortage: Many government schools in Punjab are currently facing acute teacher shortages, affecting the learning outcomes of thousands of students.

Rising Enrollment: Following recent campaigns for increased enrollment, more students have joined public schools, further straining the existing teaching capacity.

Temporary Relief: The STI program offers quick, short-term relief while the government continues to plan for permanent teacher recruitment through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).

Skill Development: The initiative provides an opportunity for unemployed graduates to gain practical classroom experience, improving their chances in future teaching careers.

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Details of the Recruitment Scheme

Total New Teachers: 12,000

Total STIs After Recruitment: 24,000

Contract Duration: Four months

Monthly Salary: Up to Rs. 45,000

Appointment Basis: Temporary, contractual, district-wise allocation

Advertisement: To be released soon by the Punjab School Education Department

The government has clarified that the hiring will be merit-based, ensuring transparency and equal opportunity for all candidates. Applications will be processed online, with clear guidelines about eligibility, district quotas, and subject-wise allocations.

Government’s Commitment to Education

This recruitment drive reflects the government’s broader commitment to education reforms in Punjab. Over the past few months, the provincial leadership has announced several measures, including:

Increasing budget allocations for education.

Introducing digital learning tools in classrooms.

Launching teacher training workshops to improve teaching methods.

Expanding access to STEM education in government schools.

According to the Education Minister, these reforms are aimed at creating a student-centered learning environment that prioritizes both quality and accessibility.

Reaction from Education Experts

Education experts and stakeholders have welcomed the decision, noting that while temporary, the recruitment of 12,000 teachers will significantly ease the pressure on schools.

“Classrooms in many government schools currently host up to 60–70 students per teacher, which is unsustainable. Hiring more teachers will not only improve learning outcomes but also reduce dropout rates,” said an education analyst in Lahore.

However, some experts have stressed the importance of converting temporary positions into permanent teaching jobs in the long run, arguing that continuity is key for sustained improvement in education quality.

A Step Towards Better Education in Punjab

For thousands of young graduates in Punjab, this initiative opens up an opportunity to join the education sector, even if on a temporary basis. It also assures parents that their children will have access to qualified teachers in schools where staff shortages were previously disrupting studies.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that her government is determined to make education a top priority, ensuring that no child is deprived of learning due to lack of teachers.

The official advertisement with complete details regarding eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines will be published in newspapers and on the official Punjab School Education Department’s website in the coming weeks.

The Punjab government’s decision to hire 12,000 more school teachers under the STI program is a timely move to address critical gaps in the province’s education system. While the positions are temporary, they will provide immediate relief to overcrowded classrooms and offer young graduates valuable professional experience.

With the total number of STIs now reaching 24,000, Punjab is taking a step forward in ensuring that quality education becomes accessible to every child, regardless of their socio-economic background. This initiative, combined with the extension of existing contracts, highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to education as the backbone of development.

As the province awaits the official advertisement and recruitment details, thousands of aspiring teachers are preparing to seize this opportunity to contribute to the future of Pakistan.