Breaking: Govt Approves Pending Salaries for School Teacher Interns
In a major relief for thousands of young educators, the Punjab School Education Department has officially approved the release of all pending stipends for School Teaching Interns (STIs) working across government schools in Punjab.
The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty and protests, during which interns continued teaching duties despite not receiving salaries.
Payments Timeline: What Has Been Approved
According to the latest confirmation from the provincial education leadership:
- Payment Deadline:
All outstanding stipends will be transferred to interns’ bank accounts within the next 14 days. - Coverage:
The payment will cover all pending months of the 2025–26 internship cycle. - Assurance:
The minister has instructed the department to ensure no further delays, calling the issue “administrative, not financial.”
This announcement effectively ends one of the most serious morale crises faced by interns this academic year.
Why Were STI Salaries Delayed?
The delay was not due to lack of funds but rather internal procedural confusion.
Core Reason
- The department failed to finalize how payments should be disbursed:
- Through commercial banks, or
- Via school heads (head teachers) as disbursing officers
This disagreement stalled file movement for weeks, leaving interns unpaid despite approved budgets.
Contract Extension: Interns Continued Working Unpaid
Despite the financial backlog:
- STI contracts were extended until May 31, 2026
- Interns continued teaching in:
- Primary schools
- Middle schools
- High schools
- Higher secondary institutions
Many government schools—especially in rural Punjab—are currently dependent almost entirely on interns due to staff shortages.
Current STI Salary Structure (2025–2026)
The stipend varies by teaching level and qualification:
| Category | Educational Requirement | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Secondary | Master’s Degree | Rs. 45,000 |
| High School | Master’s Degree | Rs. 45,000 |
| Middle School | Graduation | Rs. 40,000 |
| Primary School | FA / FSc | Rs. 38,000 |
These stipends are considered competitive for short-term public-sector internships, especially for fresh graduates.
Important Rules Every STI Must Know
1. Lump-Sum Payment System
- Salaries are paid as lump-sum daily wages
- There is no permanent employee status
2. Performance-Based Deductions
- Any unauthorized absence results in salary cuts
- Only:
- Sundays
- Official gazetted holidays
are counted as paid days
3. Internship Duration
- Program officially ends June 1, 2026
- Coincides with the start of summer vacations
There will be no automatic regularization after the internship period.
Why This Decision Matters
Scale of Impact
- 12,500+ interns affected across Punjab
- Thousands of schools rely on STIs due to:
- Teacher retirements
- Hiring freezes
- Enrollment pressure
Education Continuity
By clearing salaries:
- Classroom disruptions are avoided
- Exam preparation remains on track
- Dropout risk among interns is reduced
Officials acknowledge that without STIs, many public schools would have faced partial closures.
Final Takeaway
The clearance of pending STI payments is a critical corrective step, not just a financial one. It restores trust, stabilizes classrooms, and acknowledges the role young educators are playing in keeping Punjab’s public education system functional.
