Lahore – In a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab’s government unveiled ambitious reforms to transform school education, focusing on access, quality, and infrastructure. Key announcements included the province’s first state-run school van/bus service, 6,000 STEM labs, and “School of the Month” awards to incentivize excellence in teaching and facilities.
Boosting Enrollment & Employment
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat reported a 99% surge in student enrolment and 114% rise in teacher recruitment under the outsourced school model, generating 60,000+ jobs. Meanwhile, a midday meal program—providing milk, energy bars, and biscuits—will expand from Faisalabad to DG Khan, Mianwali, and Bahawalnagar. The CM also ordered a province-wide school transport plan and 400 new toilet blocks for girls’ schools.
Tech & Language Initiatives
To bridge the digital divide, PEEF Tech Schools will reach rural areas, while Google-backed teacher training and 10,000 Early Childhood Education classrooms ramp up capacity. An English fluency pilot targets 300,000 students to achieve IELTS Standard-4 proficiency within six months. Additionally, the Nawaz Sharif Center of Excellence will expand seats from 240 to 1,500.
CM’s Vision: Government Schools Surpassing Private Standards
Maryam Nawaz emphasized staff rationalization, uniform school entrance upgrades, and quality teacher training to ensure government schools outshine private institutions. “Our goal is excellence for all,” she stated, signaling a long-term commitment to equitable, tech-driven education across Punjab. With these reforms, the province aims to set a new benchmark in Pakistan’s public schooling system.