Well, finally some clarity! The long wait of thousands of School Teacher Interns (STIs) is over. In a fresh update, the Punjab Education Minister has confirmed through social media and recent updates that STI teachers will be retained. This is a huge relief for teachers who were worried about their future after May 2025.
What Did the Minister Say?
In the recent statement (and tweet), the Education Minister announced:
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STI teachers will continue in their jobs.
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The department values their service and will not end contracts suddenly.
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More details will be shared soon through the official School Education Department (SED) notification.
So yes—it’s official: STIs are not going home. But the Minister did not share the complete procedure in the tweet, which is why many teachers are still confused.
Why Teachers Were Confused?
The Minister only said “STIs retained” but didn’t explain things like:
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Will there be new joining orders?
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Is the extension automatic or will teachers have to submit reports again?
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How long will this extension last—3 months, 6 months, or 1 year?
From my experience following such policies, tweets or press talks are just the first step. The real details always come in the official notification.
What Happens Next – Likely Procedure
Based on previous extensions in Punjab’s education department, here’s how things usually go:
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Official Notification – The Punjab SED will publish a clear notification on its website.
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Orders to District Education Officers (DEOs) – DEOs will forward the orders to schools.
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School-Level Implementation – Headteachers will inform STIs. In some cases, teachers may have to submit a continuation/joining report.
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No Fresh Application Needed – Since the Minister said “retained,” current STIs don’t have to apply again.
What About New Hiring in 2025?
Earlier there were rumors about 25,000 new STI posts in August 2025. After this latest update, two possibilities exist:
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Current STIs will continue, and new hiring will open separately.
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Or the government may delay new hiring until the retention process is fully settled.
Either way, the priority right now is job security for current STIs.
Why This Matters
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For teachers – They now have security and peace of mind.
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For students – No classroom gaps or disruptions.
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For the system – Retaining experienced STIs ensures smooth operations in schools.
Honestly, this was the right decision.
What Teachers Should Do Right Now
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Keep checking the Punjab SED official website.
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Stay in touch with your school headteacher or DEO office.
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Don’t believe every rumor on WhatsApp—wait for the official letter.
Conclusion
The Education Minister has confirmed that STI teachers are retained under the 2025 contract extension plan. But the exact procedure—whether new joining orders will be issued, how long the extension will last, and other technical details—will only be clear once the official notification comes out.
So, for now, the jobs are safe—but everyone should patiently wait for the formal orders before making decisions.