PEIMA Cancels 1,600 School Licenses, Partner Schools Demand Fair Review

LAHORE, April 16, 2025: The Punjab Education Initiative Management Authority (PEIMA) has cancelled the licenses of over 1,600 partner schools, citing the introduction of new conditions. A significant number of these licenses were previously issued to NGOs and individual partners.

In response to the cancellations, PEIMA has invited fresh applications for re-contracting the affected schools, with a deadline set for May 10. Additionally, an application fee of Rs 10,000 has been imposed on applicants.

Sadaqat Hussain Khan Lodhi, the provincial convener of PEIMA School Licenses, strongly criticized the move, expressing concerns over the distribution of schools based on political considerations rather than merit. He emphasized that many licensees had invested significant sums to make their schools operational under a three-year contract, and the abrupt tightening of conditions at the end of the contract period was unfair.

Lodhi has urged PEIMA to reconsider the decision and restore the licenses to provide partner schools with a fair opportunity to continue their operations. He also warned that, without action, license holders would be compelled to protest against the decision.

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This development has raised significant concerns among school operators, who are now calling for a transparent and merit-based approach to the re-contracting process.