LAHORE, Jan 17: The Lahore district wing of the Education Department has merged 186 primary and middle schools into nearby schools.

The merged schools included shelterless and those having enrolment less than 20 students, a minimum requirement to continue the operation of a school.

It is learnt that the department also found that some teachers posted at schools where the number of students was less than 20, were paying fees from their pocket only to show the stipulated number of students.

It is also learnt that some 1,696 posts in different primary and middle schools are lying vacant. The department plans to fill these vacancies by appointing those teachers who have been rendered surplus after the merger of schools.

Meanwhile, the Lahore district education wing has started a teachers’ rationalization campaign in all schools and colleges.

The officials also visited different colleges and identified the teachers who were absent from duty. The officials concerned are recommending the department that the teachers found absent should be transferred out of Lahore district.— Reporter