Equitable access to education pledged

CM announces modern labs for govt schools across Punjab

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on Thursday that 100,000 laptops would be distributed among students and 50,000 additional Honhaar Scholarships awarded to support higher education.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of 10 Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence in Sahiwal division at Arifwala, she also announced the allocation of Rs40 billion for the construction and renovation of bathrooms, classrooms and furniture in government schools across the province. Computer, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics laboratories will also be established in government schools, she added.

She said many expensive private institutions did not possess such impressive infrastructure as the schools of eminence that had qualified principals and teachers, AI laboratories and air-conditioned classrooms.

She said it had always pained her to see talented students studying in poor conditions and stressed that no child's potential should be limited by lack of resources.

The chief minister said old traditions were being broken and girls across Punjab were progressing with confidence. "Many gifted children fail to realise their dreams due to financial constraints. I want every child in Punjab to study without worrying about resources because your government will provide them," she added.

She reiterated the government's commitment to establishing 300 schools of eminence across Punjab, saying that deserving students would now have access to world-class educational facilities regardless of their financial background.

CM Maryam Nawaz said students unable to afford higher education would benefit from the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, while graduates would be provided business loans.

She said the Punjab government was imparting skill development training to 500,000 students and would provide Rs300,000 through the Parwaaz Card to cover travel expenses for skilled youth seeking employment in Gulf countries. She added that arrangements for employment abroad had also been made for trained workers.

The chief minister said public sector schools had deteriorated due to the negligence of previous administrations but her government had allocated the highest education budget in the country's history.

"It is the state's responsibility to provide children education and employment opportunities," she remarked.