Punjab Teachers to Lose Jobs Over Poor Results

Punjab's Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has promised stringent measures against teachers whose schools are experiencing low matriculation results. During a press conference, Hayat stated that the government will directly dismiss teachers from schools with pass rates of 20 percent or below, without providing a chance for them to respond. The minister acknowledged responsibility for the Class 9 and 10 results but stressed the importance of accountability.

Recent board reforms, transparency measures, and efforts to curb cheating mafias have contributed to the decline in pass percentages, Hayat explained. However, he noted that Punjab has made significant strides in overall education standards over the past two years. Hayat also confirmed that there were no instances of cheating or paper leaks at any examination center this year.

This year, Punjab reduced and streamlined the Class 9 curriculum to align it with global standards. The province also introduced on-screen marking and plans to fully implement the system the following year. Additionally, boards conducted practical examinations at the board level for the first time.

Hayat announced that the government will establish a committee to thoroughly review the results and has identified 2,200 schools with pass rates of 20 percent or lower. Teachers at these schools will be dismissed, while those who achieve strong results will be rewarded. Hayat used the performance of outsourced schools, which recorded an overall 81 percent pass rate, as evidence of disparities in teacher performance.

He also dismissed allegations of declining enrollment in public colleges and universities, citing a significant increase in admissions this year and supporting official records.