A teachers' body in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is preparing to take legal action against the provincial government's school outsourcing policy, alleging that well-enrolled institutions are being handed over despite official criteria. The move signals growing resistance to a reform that authorities say targets only struggling schools. Main Developments At a Wednesday press conference in Peshawar, All Primary Teachers' Association (APTA) provincial president Azizullah Khan announced plans to petition the Peshawar High Court. The association also threatened a protest campaign unless the outsourcing of a government primary school in Regi Model Town is called off. Khan pointed to a specific case: a Regi Model Town school with roughly 260 students is slated for outsourcing, even though the policy allows it only for schools with fewer than 40 pupils or zero enrolment. He questioned the rationale, saying the institution is functioning well and asked under whose instructions it was selected. Read also: Kashmir Solidarity Rallies Mark Youm-i-Istehsal Across Pakistan The association intends to mobilise the local community against the move, vowing to resist what it calls a violation of the government's own rules. Khan urged the provincial education minister and secretary to intervene immediately and act against officials allegedly responsible for breaching the policy. Background The outsourcing policy, introduced by the KP government, was designed to bring private management to schools that are under-enrolled or empty, aiming to improve educational outcomes where public delivery has failed. However, APTA has consistently opposed such privatisation efforts, viewing them as a threat to public education and teacher job security. This legal challenge follows a pattern of resistance from teacher unions across Pakistan, who argue that outsourcing undermines the state's responsibility to provide free, quality schooling. The Regi Model Town example is the latest flashpoint in that ongoing conflict. Why It Matters The court case could set a precedent for how strictly the outsourcing policy is enforced. If the High Court rules against the government, it may force a review of all outsourcing decisions, potentially halting similar moves elsewhere in the province. For parents and communities, the outcome will determine whether their local schools remain under public control or shift to private operators. Beyond the legal sphere, the dispute highlights a broader tension: the government's push for efficiency versus teachers' and communities' concerns about accountability and access. A protest campaign could disrupt schooling in affected areas, adding urgency to the education department's response. What's Next APTA is expected to file the petition with the Peshawar High Court in the coming days, alongside plans for community mobilisation. The education minister and secretary have been called upon to respond, though no timeline for their action has been given. Meanwhile, the fate of the Regi Model Town school hangs in the balance, as the government weighs whether to proceed with outsourcing or heed the association's warning.