For years, the School Education Department (SED) Punjab has relied on temporary appointments to fill leadership roles in schools, while delays in teacher promotions have left a significant number of senior positions vacant. This policy has created a severe shortage of qualified headmasters and senior teachers, raising concerns about the impact on education quality.
Official figures paint a troubling picture. In Grade 17, a staggering 3,661 out of 5,067 approved headmaster posts remain unfilled. The situation is similarly dire in higher grades, with 500 out of 1,673 Grade 18 headmaster positions occupied by temporary appointees. In Grade 19, 37% of posts are held by acting officials, while Grade 20 faces an even worse crisis—303 out of 404 sanctioned positions are filled on a temporary basis. The shortage extends to senior teachers, with 66% of Grade 19 and 55% of Grade 18 posts lying vacant.
Education experts warn that this instability is harming schools and students. The absence of permanent, experienced teachers and administrators disrupts long-term planning and weakens institutional performance. Many argue that without timely promotions and merit-based appointments, improving educational standards will remain an unattainable goal.
Teachers’ organizations have called on the government to take urgent action. They demand faster promotion processes, an end to temporary appointments, and immediate measures to fill vacant positions. The education sector’s future, they argue, depends on stable leadership and experienced educators in classrooms.
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So far, authorities have yet to announce concrete steps to address the crisis. With schools struggling to function effectively, the need for a swift and sustainable solution has never been more pressing. The delay in resolving these issues risks further eroding the quality of education, leaving students and teachers in a state of uncertainty.