To address the growing faculty shortage in government medical colleges, the Punjab recruit retired teachers initiative has been officially launched by the Health Department, allowing appointments up to the age of 65. This move is aimed at maintaining academic continuity and improving medical education standards in the province.
Why Punjab Is Hiring Retired Teachers
With dozens of posts lying vacant across 36 government medical colleges and teaching hospitals, Punjab is experiencing a critical shortage of experienced faculty. The shortage has been particularly severe in 12 priority departments, including:
- Cardiac Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Forensic Medicine
- Anaesthesia
To tackle this, the government has approved emergency contractual appointments of retired teachers in clinical and basic sciences departments.
Contract Terms and Age Limit Extended
The government has relaxed the upper age limit for contract appointments to 65 years, allowing highly experienced faculty members to return to service temporarily. According to the notification, the recruitment process must be completed by June 30, 2025.
The authorities will automatically terminate contracts once they recruit permanent staff, ensuring that this initiative serves only as a stop-gap solution.
“The contracts will expire automatically at the time of recruiting regular employees,” stated an official from the Punjab Health Department.
Read Also: Punjab Announces Massive Salary Hike for School Teachers
Focus on Associate Professors
Special emphasis will be placed on appointing associate professors, particularly in departments facing acute shortages. These appointments will ensure that academic and clinical training for medical students continues without disruption.
Urgency to Preserve Teaching Quality
Medical education in Punjab has faced challenges in recent years due to a lack of qualified teaching staff. This emergency hiring initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted education and training for future healthcare professionals.
Final Thoughts
While the measure is temporary, it highlights the urgent need for a long-term faculty recruitment strategy. The initiative offers a valuable opportunity to utilize the expertise of retired professionals and prevent gaps in medical education during a time of critical need.
