Punjab Orders Physical Verification of Students in All Private Schools by November 20

The Punjab government has launched a province-wide physical verification drive targeting student enrolment at all licensed private schools, a move aimed at curbing fake registrations and ensuring accurate education data. The verification exercise will cover schools across 41 districts of the province and has been ordered to be completed by November 20.

Under the plan, District focal persons and Assistant Education Officers (AEOs) have been assigned specific responsibilities. AEOs will personally visit their assigned schools to confirm the actual number of enrolled students on the ground, rather than relying solely on records submitted by the institutions.

Schools will be given at least one day's advance notice before the visit, according to the directives. The education department has warned that licenses will be revoked if any institution is found to have reported fake enrolment figures during the verification process.

The drive appears to be part of broader efforts to tighten oversight of the private education sector and improve the reliability of enrolment data used for policy and planning. Private schools account for a substantial share of student enrolment in Punjab, making accurate figures important for both regulation and resource allocation.

Authorities have not yet announced how the verification results will be compiled or whether schools found with minor discrepancies will face penalties beyond license action in cases of proven fraud. The process is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Parents and school administrators in affected districts are advised to cooperate with visiting education officials during the verification period.