Govt to digitise Punjab schools

Punjab CM vows to expand free Wi-Fi service

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that educational institutions in the province are being digitised in line with modern needs.

The digitisation will be completed through public-private partnership.

Computer tablets will be provided to teachers in schools to improve the preparation of their lessons.

“Youth, especially women, can be empowered using ICT skills, because by freelancing, they can take the path of self-employment," the chief minister said in a meeting with a delegation of ADM Holding led by its Senior Advisor Umar Farooq.

She said the start of free Wi-Fi service in Lahore is a step in this direction.

"This service will be gradually expanded to other cities of the province after Lahore," she said.

The chief minister was given a briefing on the provision of internet in schools. The possibilities of cooperation in the education, health, housing and other sectors were also discussed in the meeting.

It was agreed in principle to cooperate for the establishment of video gaming centres for international competitions.

The delegation also offered to establish an entertainment arena, boxing and football academy in Lahore

The chief minister directed the sports minister to review prospects of cooperation.

The meeting also reviewed ADM Holding’s interest in partnering for the issuance of vehicle number plates and digitisation of the land record system in Punjab.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also chaired a review meeting on the launch of an air ambulance service in the province. “The air ambulance service will be used in case of accidents in remote areas," she said, adding that its scope would be gradually expanded.

“The service will also be provided to assist other provinces when an emergency arises," she said.

She was informed that the first training session for the first-ever air ambulance service in the country had begun.

Dutch technologies

The Punjab chief minister met the Ambassador of Holland in Pakistan Henny de Vries and discussed matters pertaining to enhancing trade relations along with investment prospects.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz invited Dutch companies and investors to avail maximum benefit from business opportunities in the province.

“We can benefit from the Netherlands' latest mode of agriculture and technologies. We want to enhance cooperation with the Netherlands in the cultivation of crops, irrigation techniques and agricultural machinery sectors. We want to benefit from the expertise of Netherland in order to improve Punjab’s agricultural production and performance. We want to acquire Netherland’s technological assistance so as to put in order water reservoirs in a better manner, reducing floods and improving the quality of water. We desire to promote exchange of students’ delegations along with launching a joint research programme. We want to avail maximum benefit from the expertise of the Netherlands for the promotion of Punjab’s renewable energy sector along with lowering dependence on the fossil fuel," the chief minister said during the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2024.