Technology for education: Govt to promote digital learning in schools: Shahbaz

CM says 10,227 classrooms will be constructed at a cost of Rs16 billion

LAHORE: The government will provide funds for introducing modern technology to teach school students, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

He was presiding over a meeting to review Khadim-i-Punjab Schools Programme. He approved addition of the Smart Schools project to the programme.

“Students will be taught with the help of modern technology through smart schools and LED screens will be installed in classrooms. Tablets will also be given to the teachers under this project,” he said.

The chief minister said that in the first phase, 10,227 additional classrooms would be constructed at a cost of Rs16 billion during the current fiscal year. “These classrooms will be constructed in a total of 5,834 schools. In the first phase, additional classrooms will be constructed in schools in southern Punjab. A total of 1,401 additional classrooms will be constructed in Dera Ghazi Khan at a cost of Rs2 billion. Students will get more facilities with the construction of additional classrooms which will have a positive impact on education sector,” the chief minister said. The CM said that teacher training centres would also be digitalised.

The communication and works secretary briefed the meeting. Ministers Tanvir Aslam Malik, Rana Mashhood Ahmad, the chief secretary and the NESPAK managing director were also present.

Higher education

The chief minister presided over a meeting to review promotion of higher education. The Higher Education Department secretary briefed the meeting. The chief minister said that education was the key to success. “Research and development is of vital importance in education sector. It is time to work actively for developing universities as centres of knowledge,” he said. Shahbaz Sharif said that the government attached great importance to development of educational. He said that research and development could be promoted through coordination between agriculture, industries and livestock sectors. Higher Education Minister Begam Zakia Shahnawaz, the additional chief secretary and the Punjab Higher Education Commission chairman were present.

Turkish delegation

Chairman of a Turkish investment group, Ahmat Albayrak, met the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday. Albayrak expressed interest in investment in the development of social sector in the Punjab. The chief minister said that Pakistan and Turkey were bound together in strong historical and friendly relations. “Turkey has stood by Pakistan in every hour of need. The commitment to democracy shown by Turkish people under the leadership of their great leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is commendable,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif said that a number of Turkish companies and investors were investing in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab. “Rapid progress is being made towards the goal of making Pakistan a peaceful, safe and prosperous country. Due to effective measures taken by the government, the economy has grown stronger. The law and order situation has also improved,” he said.

The CM said that Turkish investors should benefit from the vast investment opportunities in the Punjab. Albayrak said that cooperation would be extended to the Punjab for the improvement of basic structure of social sector.

He said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had played a positive and active role for the promotion of ties between Pakistan and Turkey. “Turkish people also acknowledge the extraordinary abilities of Shahbaz Sharif,” he said. Advisor on Helath Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Ahmed Hassaan were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2016.