The Punjab government has introduced sweeping reforms to the appointment process of school principals, significantly raising the share of promotions while easing experience requirements for eligibility.

Under the revised rules, notified through the fourth amendment to the Punjab Educational Services (School and Inspection) Group-A Service Rules, 2018, the promotion quota has been raised from 50% to 75%, cutting direct recruitment to just 25%. 

The move is expected to open long-delayed leadership opportunities for teachers who have been waiting years for career advancement.

Experience norms relaxed

To accelerate the process further, the government has lowered service requirements. 

Lecturers and vocational lecturers now need five years of experience instead of seven, while headmasters can qualify after four years instead of five. 

Officials said the changes were designed to clear promotion backlogs and address morale concerns in the teaching community.

Teachers divided over reforms

The decision has drawn mixed reactions. Many educators welcomed it as a long-awaited step toward fairer career progression, but the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) dismissed the amendments as “incomplete,” arguing that they fail to resolve lingering service-related grievances.

The union has urged the government to revisit the reforms to ensure “complete justice” for all teachers.

Impact on schools

Education experts believe the overhaul could help plug leadership gaps in schools, reduce administrative delays, and bring younger teachers into principal roles earlier in their careers. 

The government maintains the reforms will not only streamline promotions but also strengthen efficiency in school administration.