In a decisive step to curb child labor, the School Education Department (SED) Punjab has rolled out strict directives to identify working children and secure their immediate admission into schools across the province.
The move follows growing concern over children being employed in workshops, hotels, and other workplaces instead of classrooms. Officials have been instructed to ensure that such children are withdrawn from labor and integrated into the education system without delay.
District Education Authorities will work in close coordination with the Labor Department to locate and register these children. The department has further ordered that orphaned and underprivileged children be given top priority, with no delays in their enrollment process.
Recognizing the financial responsibilities faced by some older children, the department has announced special afternoon classes to accommodate those who may need to work part-time while still pursuing their education.
To guarantee the success of the initiative, the Punjab government has established strict monitoring mechanisms. Education CEOs, Deputy CEOs, and Assistant Education Officers have been tasked with personally overseeing the program and ensuring regular school attendance of all identified children.
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The drive marks one of the most comprehensive efforts by the provincial government to eliminate child labor and reinforce the right of every child to education.