In a bold move following the announcement of this year’s matriculation results, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has issued a pointed message to teachers across the province: deliver results or face consequences. Taking to Facebook, the minister pledged rewards for educators whose students consistently excel, but warned that those with poor performance records should “start worrying.”
His comments come as the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore reported a 65.32% pass rate for the 2025 matric exams. Out of 254,012 students, only 165,912 managed to clear the exams, exposing persistent gaps in student performance across many government institutions.
The minister’s statement signals a tougher stance on accountability in the education sector, with an emphasis on linking teacher performance to student outcomes. While some have welcomed the move as a long-overdue push for merit and responsibility, critics argue that it risks oversimplifying the complex factors that influence student achievement—such as poverty, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of educational resources.
Hayat’s remarks have sparked debate among educators and parents alike. Some teachers view the minister’s tone as unnecessarily confrontational and fear it may demoralize staff already working under strained conditions. Others, however, believe it could be a catalyst for genuine reform if backed by systemic improvements, proper training, and fair evaluation mechanisms.
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As the province moves forward with its education reform agenda, the success of this accountability drive will likely depend not only on punitive warnings but also on meaningful support for teachers on the ground.