'19k new schools needed by 2040'

The fact sheet has also highlighted the need to create millions of jobs and additional housing. Earlier findings put Punjab's government school network at around 38,000 institutions for a population of 130 million. They include primary, middle, high and higher secondary institutions, but shortage of buildings, classrooms and basic facilities remain major barriers to enrolment.

The council has linked the shortage of educational facilities and infrastructure with the large number of children remaining outside the school system. The fact sheet projected that Punjab would require around 59 million new employment opportunities by 2040 to absorb its growing youth population.

The projections underline that education, employment, housing, healthcare and other public services will have to expand simultaneously if the province is to convert its large young population into a dividend rather than burden. The warning comes against the backdrop of an education system already struggling to retain students beyond school level.

A recent report showed a major fall in enrolment in government higher secondary schools after matriculation. Only around 56,000 students were reportedly enrolled in Grade 11 in government higher secondary schools this year, compared with more than 600,000 studying in Grade 10.

More than 550,000 students reportedly enrolled in colleges. The figure raises questions about the capacity and attractiveness of government higher secondary institutions. At the secondary level, the recent Grade 9 results of the Lahore Board, showed a success rate of only 46.51 per cent.

The Rawalpindi Board recorded a success rate of 37.56%. The need for new public sector schools has been highlighted at a time when authorities in the province are moving in the opposite direction by outsourcing existing institutions.

Teachers have argued that transferring government schools to private operators can weaken affordable access for children from low-income families and increase the dropout rate among disadvantaged students. "The government should expand and strengthen the public school network instead of handing over institutions to private management.

Now international organisations are demanding the construction of new schools but the government is not understanding the actual issues," said Punjab Teachers Union Secretary General Rana Liaqat Ali.

Population Council Senior Director Dr Ali Mir has urged policymakers to recognise the connection between population growth and public service pressures, stressing in a recent meeting that health and education funding were essential investments in future.