LAHORE (Education Reporter) – In a major move to expand access to higher education, the Government of Punjab has made a principled decision to upgrade hundreds of high schools across the province to the status of ‘Higher Secondary Schools.’
Under this initiative, students will now be able to pursue FA and FSc education within their own schools after completing their Matriculation. To implement this plan, the relevant authorities have requested detailed data from schools regarding the availability of space and the physical condition of their buildings.
Key Statistics and Progress:
- Total High Schools: There are currently 6,000 high schools in Punjab.
- Data Submission: Out of these, 5,800 schools have already submitted their required data.
- Upgrade Requests: A total of 795 schools have formally expressed their willingness to be upgraded based on the availability of adequate space.
- Final Selection: The final decision for the upgrades will be made following a third-party inspection and a thorough audit of the reports provided by school heads to ensure all necessary facilities for higher secondary education are met.
This step is expected to significantly reduce the dropout rate after Matriculation, especially for students in remote areas who face challenges in commuting to distant colleges.