The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has rolled out a double-shift school system in a bid to address overcrowding and long travel times for students in remote areas. Under the initiative, selected schools will operate an additional shift, aiming to provide more children with access to education closer to home.
According to Faraz Ahmad Mughal, spokesperson for Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the program will see the recruitment of more than 2,500 temporary teachers, including 1,804 for primary schools and 639 for secondary schools, all on contract. Applications can be submitted via district education offices or the provincial education department’s official website.
The government has allocated what it describes as a record education budget, with funds directed towards upgrading infrastructure, enhancing teacher training, and introducing modern teaching methods. Girls’ education has been given special priority through the establishment of new schools and scholarship programs aimed at boosting enrollment.
Related: KP Govt Hands Over 1500 Schools to Private Sector
While the initiative is a positive step towards improving educational access, concerns remain over its long-term sustainability. Relying on temporary teachers raises questions about job security, continuity in teaching quality, and whether the program will evolve into a permanent solution rather than a stopgap measure. The challenge for the KP government will be ensuring that the double-shift system not only expands access but also delivers consistent, high-quality education for years to come.