Punjab cracks down on unregistered private schools, 744 institutions served notices

LAHORE: The Punjab government has intensified its campaign against unregistered private educational institutions, directing hundreds of schools and academies to complete the legal registration process within three days or face strict action under the provincial education laws.

According to officials, notices were issued to 744 private educational institutions in a single day to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements as part of a province-wide enforcement drive. Officials said the affected institutions have been given a final chance to obtain registration before legal action is initiated.

Punjab Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat said the government will adopt a zero tolerance policy against institutions operating outside the legal framework. He stressed that registration is a mandatory requirement for every private school and academy, adding that institutions operating without government approval are in violation of the law.

The minister said that district education authorities have been directed to initiate enforcement actions against institutions that fail to complete registration within the stipulated period. He added that the campaign aims to strengthen the monitoring of the private education sector and ensure that educational standards and safety of students are not compromised.

Rana Sikandar said that official records show that hundreds of private educational institutions are still operating without registration across Punjab. He warned that owners who violate the law could face a financial penalty ranging from **Rs300,000 to Rs4 million, depending on the nature of the violation and the applicable legal provisions.

In another important regulatory move, the provincial government has made building fitness certificates mandatory for all private educational institutions. The minister said that no school will be allowed to operate without a valid certificate that confirms that its premises meet the required structural and safety standards.

He directed school owners to obtain the necessary fitness certification without delay and directed district education authorities to verify compliance during inspections. The move comes at a time when the provincial government is trying to strengthen safety regulations and improve accountability in the private education sector.

Education officials said the ongoing campaign is part of a broader effort to regulate private schools, improve institutional transparency and ensure that students study legally and in a safe learning environment.