The Punjab Education Department has made it compulsory for private schools to offer free education to 10 percent of their students, especially targeting children from low-income families, those in financial hardship, and children with special needs.
To ensure this policy is followed, the department is bringing the Private Schools Ordinance 2014 back into effect and has directed education officers to monitor implementation closely.
The Ministry of Education is currently collecting data on students who will benefit from this initiative, with private schools required to submit admission information. This process is expected to wrap up by August 31, after the summer holidays.
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat made it clear that private institutions will be held responsible if they fail to comply.
He also shared that Punjab is moving forward with plans to open its first schools for children with autism, aiming to better support students with special needs.