Peshawar, Sept 6, 2025: In a landmark and historic ruling, the Peshawar High Court has suspended the KP government’s notification concerning the outsourcing and privatization of public schools and colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The decision is grounded in Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which obligates the state to provide free and compulsory education to every child aged 5 to 16 years. The court emphasized that any move toward privatization or outsourcing of educational institutions could significantly compromise access to quality education, particularly for underprivileged children, thereby violating the constitutional rights guaranteed to every citizen. The ruling was issued on a petition filed with the high court challenging the move of the government. The petition contended that outsourcing of schools will deprive poor children of their basic right to education as guaranteed in the constitution.
Legal experts and education advocates have widely praised the ruling as a historic and decisive step, highlighting that it underscores the government’s fundamental responsibility to ensure education remains universally accessible and free for all segments of society.
The decision has also ignited extensive discussions and debates regarding the future direction of public education policies in the province and across the country.
In response to the ruling, the provincial government is expected to review and potentially revise its privatization strategy, ensuring alignment with constitutional mandates and the court’s directives.