PM Shehbaz orders urgent reforms in Islamabad's govt schools

Gives planning minister one week to resolve issues, directs activation of free lunch system, smart boards

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting regarding school reforms, directing the urgent implementation of infrastructure, curriculum, teacher training, and other reforms for all government schools in Islamabad, ordering Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to resolve issues of these schools within one week.

According to a post by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X, PM Shehbaz also directed the formulation of a strategy to transform the Federal Directorate of Education into "an effective and functional institution."

Addressing the meeting, the premier noted that all infrastructural issues in government schools within the federal capital should be resolved on an emergency basis, stressing that ensuring a safe environment for students was the responsibility of the government.

PM Shehbaz also directed the activation of a free lunch system "to ensure the nutritional development of students in Islamabad," the PMO said, adding that the premier also called for the installation of smart boards in classrooms as soon as possible.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت اسلام آباد میں سکولوں میں اصلاحات کے حوالے سے اعلیٰ سطحی اجلاس منعقد ہوا.

وزیراعظم نے اسلام آباد میں تمام سرکاری سکولوں میں انفراسٹرکچر، نصاب، اساتذہ کی تربیت اور دیگر اصلاحات کے ہنگامی بنیادوں پر نفاذ اور فیڈرل ڈائریکٹوریٹ آف ایجوکیشن کو… pic.twitter.com/SK5KEkj2Wg

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 28, 2026

Further, PM Shehbaz stated that government school teachers in Islamabad should focus exclusively on teaching and providing education to their students, stressing that teacher recruitment "should be done solely on the basis of merit."

Regarding transport, it was noted during the meeting that 278 government buses were operating across Islamabad for the transportation of government school students. PM Shehbaz directed that the scope of these buses be expanded, calling for them to be outsourced.

According to the PMO, the premier also highlighted third-party validation and the promotion of solarisation in government schools.

For disabled or wheelchair-bound students, PM Shehbaz directed the construction of ramps in all government schools, while emphasising that the best medical facilities should be provided.

Read: PM Shehbaz calls for accountability in partnerships with international consultants

During the meeting, the PMO said, a survey report was presented pertaining to the curriculum, infrastructure, among other matters in Islamabad's government schools "in accordance with the prime minister's directive of September 2026."

The PMO stated that the meeting was briefed regarding the infrastructural issues of some schools that were included in the survey. "The briefing stated that most government schools in Islamabad have internet, clean drinking water, computer labs, and other basic facilities," it said. However, the briefing noted that there was a need "to empower head teachers in government schools and promote innovation."

The meeting was attended by Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, among other senior officers of relevant institutions.