If you have seen “STI” in a Punjab education notice and wondered what it means, you are not alone. STI in education stands for School Teacher Interns (also written School Teaching Interns). They are educated young people who teach in Punjab government schools for a fixed term under the School Education Department’s STI Program, and receive a monthly stipend instead of a salary.
This guide explains the STI meaning in school, its full form, how the programme works, how it has changed from 2021 to 2026, and how an STI is different from a regular teacher. You can also search our glossary to understand any term used in STI notices.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| STI full form | School Teacher Interns / School Teaching Interns |
| Run by | School Education Department (SED), Government of the Punjab |
| Where they teach | Government primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools |
| Type of job | Temporary internship, not a permanent post |
| Current stipend | Rs38,000 to Rs45,000 per month (STI Program 2024) |
| Current term | Fresh agreements from 24 August 2026 to 31 May 2027 |
STI Glossary: What Does It Mean?
Type any word you saw in an STI notice, like SIS, DEA or EMIS.
16 termsSTISchool Teacher Interns (also written School Teaching Interns). Temporary teaching interns placed in Punjab government schools.
CTICollege Teaching Interns. A similar internship for government colleges under the Higher Education Department.
SEDSchool Education Department, Government of the Punjab. It runs the STI programme.
PESRPPunjab Education Sector Reform Programme. Its IT wing runs portals such as sti.pesrp.edu.pk and sis.pesrp.edu.pk.
PMIUProgramme Monitoring and Implementation Unit of PESRP, which manages education data systems.
SISSchool Information System (sis.pesrp.edu.pk). Official record of schools, teachers, students and posts.
EMIS codeUnique code of every government school, used in SIS and on STI portals.
DEADistrict Education Authority. Runs schools in a district and handles STI hiring locally.
CEO (DEA)Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority, the top education officer of a district.
Deputy DEO / AEODeputy District Education Officer and Assistant Education Officer who supervise schools at tehsil and markaz level.
PST / ESEPrimary school teacher posts (Elementary School Educator).
EST / SESEElementary/middle school teacher posts (Senior Elementary School Educator).
SST / SSESecondary school teacher posts (Secondary School Educator).
School CouncilLocal council of each school that was part of STI selection.
Fresh agreementNew contract signed by serving STIs to continue from 24 August 2026 to 31 May 2027.
StipendMonthly payment to interns: Rs38,000 primary, Rs40,000 middle, Rs45,000 high and higher secondary (STI Program 2024).
Opening the School Education Department website…
What Does STI Stand For in School?
In Punjab schools, STI stands for School Teacher Intern. The plural is STIs. Official notifications use both “School Teacher Interns” and “School Teaching Interns”, and both mean the same thing. The programme itself is called the School Teacher Internship Program, and the current rules are known as the STI Program 2024.
Outside education, the letters STI are used for other things, especially in health. On school notice boards, teacher groups and education websites in Punjab, however, STI always means a School Teacher Intern.
Why the STI Programme Exists
Many government schools in Punjab have more students than teachers, especially in subjects like science, mathematics and English. Hiring permanent teachers takes a long time. The STI programme fills these gaps quickly with qualified local candidates, while giving fresh graduates real classroom experience.
- For schools: classes are not left without a teacher.
- For graduates: paid teaching experience and a certificate on completion.
- For students: more teaching time in subjects that were short of teachers.
How the STI Programme Works
- Vacant seats are identified school by school, and each district gets an allocation.
- Candidates apply within their district through the official portal.
- Merit lists are shown on school notice boards, with objections heard at tehsil level.
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed on qualifications and teaching skills.
- Selected interns sign an agreement and join a specific school for a fixed term.
- The stipend is paid monthly into the intern’s bank account.
Reports on the policy said selection involves Deputy DEOs, AEOs, school heads and the school council, and that STI placements are temporary and non-transferable.
How STI Has Changed: 2021 to 2026
| Period | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2021 policy | Earlier STI hiring policy with stipends from Rs18,000 (primary) to Rs30,000 (higher secondary), paid by day of attendance |
| January 2025 | STI Program 2024 reported: 12,500 interns, nine-month terms, stipend Rs38,000 to Rs45,000 |
| October 2025 | Continuation of 12,500 interns from 2 October 2025 to 31 May 2026 |
| November to December 2025 | Fresh applications (12 to 26 Nov), merit lists (3 Dec), interviews (6 to 7 Dec); appointment orders planned for 9 Dec were put on hold for objections until 22 Dec |
| September 2026 | Serving interns continue from 24 August 2026 to 31 May 2027; fresh hiring approved on 25 September 2026 |
This is why you may see different stipend figures online. The Rs18,000 to Rs30,000 slabs belong to the older 2021 policy. The current STI Program 2024 uses Rs38,000, Rs40,000 and Rs45,000.
What an STI Does at School
An STI works like a class teacher under the guidance of the head teacher. The exact duties are set by the school, but they usually include:
- Teaching assigned classes and subjects according to the timetable
- Preparing simple lesson plans and checking homework
- Helping with tests, assessments and result work
- Keeping attendance records, since the stipend is linked to attendance
- Supporting school activities when the head teacher asks
Interns are not meant to do administrative jobs in offices. Reports on the 2024 policy said STIs would not be given administrative duties or placed in evening schools.
Benefits and Limits of Being an STI
Benefits
- Monthly stipend of Rs38,000 to Rs45,000
- Real classroom experience in a government school
- A certificate on completion, useful for future teaching jobs
- A chance to work near home, as hiring is district-based
Limits
- Temporary term with no right to a permanent post
- No transfer to another school during the term
- Stipend can reduce with absences and payments are sometimes delayed
STI vs Regular Government Teacher
| Point | STI (School Teacher Intern) | Regular teacher (PST/EST/SST) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Temporary internship | Permanent or contract government post |
| Pay | Fixed monthly stipend | Salary on a BPS pay scale with allowances |
| Term | Fixed term, e.g. up to 31 May 2027 | Continuous service |
| Transfer | School-specific, non-transferable | Can apply for transfers |
| Selection | District and school-level merit and interview | Recruitment test and formal hiring process |
| Future | Certificate and experience; no right to regular post | Promotion and pension rules apply |
STI is also different from CTI (College Teaching Interns), which places interns in government colleges. See our STI vs CTI comparison for details.
Who Can Become an STI?
- Age range used in STI criteria: 21 to 45 years
- A valid Punjab domicile, applying in your own district
- A relevant degree for the school level; high and higher secondary seats need a 16-year degree
- A teaching qualification such as B.Ed or M.Ed strengthens merit
Check your own profile with the STI eligibility checker and see seats in your area on the STI vacancies page.
STI Stipend by School Level
| School level | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Primary | Rs38,000 |
| Middle (Elementary) | Rs40,000 |
| High and Higher Secondary | Rs45,000 |
Eligible serving interns were also reported to get an additional Rs15,000 monthly allowance under revised terms. Read the STI salary and stipend 2026-27 guide for payment rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of STI in education?
School Teacher Interns (or School Teaching Interns), under the Punjab School Education Department.
What does STI stand for in school?
It stands for School Teacher Intern, a temporary teaching intern placed in a government school.
Is an STI a government employee?
No. An STI is an intern on a fixed-term agreement who receives a stipend. The placement does not create a right to a regular post.
How long does an STI internship last?
The current agreements run from 24 August 2026 to 31 May 2027. Earlier terms were about nine months each year.
Where can I apply to become an STI?
Through the official STI portal when your district opens applications. Follow our STI recruitment 2026 update.
Final Word
STI means School Teacher Interns: qualified graduates who teach in Punjab government schools for a fixed term and receive a stipend of Rs38,000 to Rs45,000. It is a practical first step into teaching, not a permanent job. Use the glossary above whenever an STI notice uses a term you do not know.
Sources: School Education Department notification of 25 September 2026 (reported by ProPakistani); STI Program 2024 as reported by Daily Pakistan (January 2025); continuation notification of October 2025; 2021 STI hiring policy.