Punjab education shock: 2,200 government schools record below 20% Class 9 result

The School Education Department Punjab has identified around 2,200 government schools across the province where Class 9 results

LAHORE: The School Education Department Punjab has identified around 2,200 government schools across the province where Class 9 results remained at 20 percent or below, prompting the provincial government to announce strict action against institutions and teachers repeatedly recording poor academic performance.

According to a briefing by the School Education Department, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has approved a zero-tolerance approach towards continued underperformance, with the department shifting its focus from repeated warnings towards stronger accountability.

Under the proposed policy, schools recording a Class 9 result of 20 percent or less have been identified for scrutiny. Teachers associated with consistently poor-performing schools will also face accountability, while those producing results below the 20 percent threshold over several consecutive years could face dismissal or other disciplinary action.

The minister has also indicated that the government does not intend to rely on prolonged departmental proceedings in cases of persistent poor performance.

“Quality education is our commitment. Better education, stronger Punjab. We are moving towards progress through education. Teachers who have been continuously producing poor results for three to five years have no right to remain on the post. There will be no long inquiries, there will be direct action,” Rana Sikandar Hayat said in a policy statement.

A senior School Education Department official told Minute Mirror that the figures had been compiled using data received from the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education.

“The data has been compiled from BISEs. Around 2,200 schools is an alarming figure. The focus is not on one-time failure but on habitual poor performance. Lists have been sent to District Education Authorities for verification,” the official said.

The proposed measures, however, have raised concerns among teachers’ representatives. A Punjab Teachers Union representative said accountability was necessary but argued that teachers should be given an opportunity to explain the circumstances behind poor results.

“We support quality, but direct dismissal without inquiry violates service rules and Article 10-A. Poor results are not only due to teachers. Staff shortages, out-of-school children and inadequate facilities also affect performance. We demand a proper hearing,” the representative said.

Education experts have similarly called for a balance between accountability and institutional support. An education analyst based in Lahore said extremely low results reflected wider weaknesses within the education system and could not always be attributed to individual teachers.

“If a government school gives a 15 percent result, it is a collapse of the system, not just a teacher. Accountability is necessary, but it must be accompanied by teacher training and better facilities,” the analyst said.

Sources familiar with the developments said the department is expected to begin verification of the identified schools before taking further action. Teachers showing consistently poor results could subsequently face proceedings under applicable service and disciplinary laws, including the PEEDA framework.

The department is also considering linking annual increments and promotions with academic performance, introducing regular academic audits and deploying mentor teachers to schools requiring additional support.

The government’s latest move signals a stronger emphasis on measurable academic performance. However, the implementation of the policy will determine whether it improves classroom outcomes while maintaining due process for teachers.

Minute Mirror will continue to monitor the verification process, final list of schools and any disciplinary or dismissal notifications issued by the Punjab government.