The School Education Department (SED) Punjab has unveiled an ambitious Rs 90 billion development budget for 2025–26, targeting major improvements in 43,000 public schools across the province. This marks a dramatic jump from the Rs 20 billion allocated yearly over the past five years.
The proposal, now with the provincial finance ministry, focuses solely on infrastructure—excluding teacher salaries. Reports highlight severe shortages: 40% of schools lack adequate classrooms, 37% in rural areas have no boundary walls or electricity, and 65% of rural schools (27% urban) lack science and computer labs. Nearly half of all schools are without clean water, toilets, or fans, while furniture, security, and sanitation staff remain scarce.
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Additional funds will support a computerized attendance system and utility bills. Officials say this budget could close major gaps, especially with 13,000 schools transitioning to private management this year, easing costs.