The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a major recruitment drive to hire 10,074 contract primary school teachers across the province under a new policy aimed at addressing persistent teacher shortages in government schools and improving student learning outcomes.
Education authorities confirmed that the teachers will be appointed on a contract basis through a structured merit-driven process, drawing from the existing talent pool and involving Parent Teacher Councils to promote transparency and community participation in hiring decisions.
Under the approved plan, schools in summer zones will recruit teachers for a five-month period from January 16 to May 31, 2026, while winter zone institutions will appoint teachers for four months from March 1 to June 30, 2026. Officials said the staggered timelines reflect differences in academic calendars and climatic conditions across districts.
The recruitment drive covers both settled and merged districts, with 5,845 positions allocated to settled areas and 4,229 positions earmarked for merged districts, including Khyber, Bajaur, Kurram, North and South Waziristan, Orakzai, and other regions. Education officials said the distribution is designed to respond to local staffing gaps and promote more equitable access to education across the province.
Government representatives described the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen the public education system, particularly in remote and underserved areas where teacher shortages have disrupted learning continuity and affected academic performance. They noted that contract teachers will help stabilize classrooms while longer-term recruitment reforms are finalized.
Education sector analysts welcomed the move, saying it addresses a long-standing issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa schools, where some institutions have operated for years with vacant teaching posts. They said the additional teachers could help reduce class sizes and improve student engagement ahead of the new academic cycle.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Department emphasized that while the measure is temporary, it complements ongoing plans to make permanent teacher recruitment more efficient and data-driven. Officials also said professional development and support for contract teachers will remain a priority to ensure teaching standards are maintained.
