The Punjab government has abolished 1,207 vacant non-teaching posts in government schools in Lahore as part of its ongoing rightsizing policy aimed at reducing public expenditure.
According to an official notification, the move is part of a broader provincial initiative under which 30,391 vacant positions in the School Education Department will be eliminated.
Province-Wide Rightsizing Initiative
The decision forms part of the Punjab government’s efforts to streamline administrative structures and reduce expenditures by abolishing long-vacant positions that have not been filled.
Officials say the policy will be implemented across the province, with Lahore being among the first districts affected.
Posts Being Abolished
The abolished positions include a wide range of vacant non-teaching roles, such as:
- Baildar
- Chowkidar
- Naib Qasid
- Gardener
- Lab Assistant
- Lab In-charge
- Lab Attendant
- Junior Clerk
- Senior Clerk
- Stenographer
- Driver
- Sweeper
- Assistant
- Accountant
- Computer Operator
- Librarian
- Assistant Librarian
- Assistant Director of Physical Education
- Auditor
- Superintendent
- Deputy Superintendent
The notification also covers several other vacant administrative and support positions.
Government Cites Cost Reduction
According to the government, abolishing long-vacant posts is intended to:
- Reduce public expenditure.
- Improve administrative efficiency.
- Lower the financial burden on the provincial budget.
The move is part of broader administrative reforms being implemented under the rightsizing policy.
Concerns Raised by Education Stakeholders
Despite the government’s rationale, the decision has raised concerns among education stakeholders.
Some education officials and observers believe that reducing the number of non-teaching positions could affect:
- Administrative operations in schools.
- Office management.
- Record keeping.
- Laboratory support.
- General maintenance and day-to-day institutional functioning.
They argue that while the posts are currently vacant, schools may require additional support staff in the future as student enrolment and administrative responsibilities continue to grow.
