School funding backlog cleared

The Finance Department of Punjab has released the first-quarter amount for the individual monthly expenses of government schools under the Non-Salary Budget (NSB) before the end of the first quarter of the new financial year 2026-27. Government schools had been deprived of the funds since July 1, affecting payment of utility bills and salaries of sweepers and security guards. They had also started receiving notices about disconnection of electricity, gas and telephone connections. A total of Rs4 billion, 8 crore, 87 lakh and 75 thousand has been released for government schools across the province. For schools in Rawalpindi district, Rs142.087 million has been released, while Rs77.548 million has been allocated for schools in Attock district, Rs52.643 million for schools in Jhelum, Rs74.590 million for schools in Chakwal, Rs161.784 million for schools in Lahore, Rs129.167 million for schools in Gujranwala, Rs225.972 million for schools in Faisalabad and Rs143.937 million for schools in Multan. The amount has been deposited into the government accounts of all the districts. The Finance Department has also issued instructions for the funds to be immediately transferred to the respective accounts of all schools. Following the release of the funds, daily-wage sweepers, security guards and helpers at government schools will be able to receive their salaries, which have been withheld for three months, on Oct 1. Utility bills will also be paid immediately. Teachers' organisations and school heads had also been protesting for the release of these funds.