In a groundbreaking step towards transforming the education sector, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced that teaching across the province will now require a mandatory license. The move aims to professionalize the teaching cadre and enhance the quality of education for millions of students.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Department has unveiled a comprehensive licensing framework, making it illegal for unlicensed individuals to teach in any institution. To oversee this new system, a regulatory body is being established with a seed budget of Rs 200 million. This authority will manage teacher registration, licensing, and the development of Terms of Reference (TORs) for qualifications and professional standards.
Unlike traditional certifications, the teaching licenses will not be permanent. Educators who fulfill the set criteria will be granted licenses, but their renewal will depend on regular performance evaluations. This performance-based approach is designed to ensure accountability, continuous professional growth, and sustained improvements in teaching standards.
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Education officials have praised the initiative as a long-awaited reform that will not only uplift the status of teaching as a profession but also ensure that students receive education of a consistently high standard.