Punjab Sets Rs750bn Education Budget as Development Funds Fall

LAHORE: The Punjab government has earmarked Rs750 billion for education in its 2026-27 provincial budget, placing schools, colleges and universities among the most politically significant areas of spending as the province tries to balance public expectations with fiscal pressure.

The allocation covers both current and development expenditure across the education system. Officials say the package is designed to support classroom infrastructure, digital learning, scholarships, school meals and higher education, while also keeping major student-focused schemes alive in the new fiscal year.

Budget documents show that the School Education Department will receive the largest share, with more than Rs600 billion marked for current expenditure and over Rs13 billion for development schemes. A major portion of school spending will go toward grants and subsidies for district education authorities and public schools across Punjab.

Punjab Minister for Schools and Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat described the allocation as a major investment in the province’s future, saying the budget reflects the government’s commitment to expanding access, improving learning quality and supporting students through scholarships, technology and modern facilities.

The Higher Education Department has also received a sizeable allocation, including funds for salaries, operational expenses and development projects. However, the overall education development budget has been reduced compared with last year, falling from Rs100 billion to around Rs63.3 billion, a cut that may limit new construction and long-term institutional upgrades.

Among the headline initiatives, the Chief Minister’s Laptop Programme will continue with Rs10 billion set aside for the distribution of 110,000 laptops. The Hunarmand Scholarship Programme has been expanded with Rs20 billion, while Rs40 billion has been proposed for Nawaz Sharif Centres of Excellence and programmes linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The budget also includes Rs6.9 billion for establishing 244 information technology laboratories in higher secondary institutions and colleges. The School Meal Programme will continue supplying nutritious milk to around 1.12 million students in 13 districts, while Rs4.5 billion has been proposed to establish autism schools in every division of Punjab.

Education experts, however, warn that the province’s biggest challenges remain deeper than headline allocations. Public universities have repeatedly complained about financial shortfalls and delayed releases, while public schools continue to face overcrowded classrooms, infrastructure gaps, weak teacher development systems and a large number of out-of-school children.

The spending plan carries broad social and economic importance for Pakistan’s largest province. Better education investment can improve literacy, workforce skills, women’s participation and long-term productivity, but reduced development spending may slow the physical expansion and quality improvement needed in under-served districts.

The next test for the Punjab government will be implementation. If funds are released on time and targeted effectively, the budget could strengthen student support and digital learning; if spending remains delayed or fragmented, the province may struggle to convert a large headline allocation into visible improvements in classrooms and universities.