Over 38,000 schools in Punjab are facing a severe financial crisis as the non-salary budget—meant to cover essential operational costs remains unreleased for over three months, officials confirmed. The delay has disrupted routine educational activities across the province.
The non-salary budget is a quarterly fund used for basic utilities, maintenance, and classroom facilities. However, despite the start of the new fiscal year, the School Education Department has yet to release the first installment, putting thousands of schools in a financial bind.
| Category | Details |
| Affected Schools | 38,000+ across Punjab |
| Budget Type | Non-salary operational funds |
| Delay Period | 3 months (1st quarter not released) |
| Example | Lahore schools due Rs. 160 million quarterly |
| Impact | Utility bills, maintenance, and classroom activities disrupted |
Officials said the lack of funds has made it difficult for schools to pay bills or maintain infrastructure. In Lahore alone, the delay of Rs. 160 million in quarterly funds has left many schools unable to sustain basic operations.
An education officer stated,
“If the funds are not released soon, even essential learning activities will be compromised.”
The provincial government has been urged to take immediate action to ensure timely disbursement of funds and prevent further disruption in Punjab’s education system.