Punjab’s public education system is facing a deepening crisis as over 300 principal posts at the BS-20 level across government secondary schools remain vacant—crippling leadership in institutions and leaving hundreds of qualified teachers stranded without promotion.
According to a report aired by 24HD News Channel on Monday, key schools in major cities including Lahore are being run without permanent principals. The Directorate of Public Instructions (DPIs) has come under fire for failing to process long-overdue promotion cases, despite a significant number of BS-19 educators being eligible for elevation.
Teachers currently managing schools in an acting capacity say they have shouldered principal responsibilities for months—some for years—without formal recognition or career progression.
“We’ve done our part. We’ve managed entire schools without formal appointments or additional compensation. The system owes us justice,” said one senior teacher, requesting anonymity due to fear of departmental retaliation.
Sources within the education department confirmed that internal mismanagement and administrative delays have stalled the promotions. Some files, insiders claim, have been collecting dust for over a year.
The backlog is not only demoralizing educators but also jeopardizing school performance and student outcomes. Without formally appointed principals, key policy decisions, resource allocations, and disciplinary actions are frequently delayed, affecting school governance.
Education experts are sounding the alarm, saying the leadership vacuum could have long-term consequences.
“A school without a principal is like a ship without a captain. The bureaucracy must wake up before the entire system runs aground,” said an education policy analyst based in Lahore.
Critics argue that the inaction reflects a broader pattern of negligence in Punjab’s public sector, where inefficiencies continue to undermine institutional growth and professional development.
The affected teachers have now collectively urged the Directorate of Public Instructions (Secondary Education) to immediately review and resolve pending cases.
With the new academic year underway, stakeholders are calling on Punjab’s Chief Minister and the Education Minister to intervene decisively, clear the backlog, and restore confidence in the province’s educational leadership structure.
Until then, hundreds of schools—and the futures of thousands of students—hang in the balance.