Free laptops: Students optimistic about Punjab government scheme
Sameera Saleem, a student of MA English at Fatima Jinnah Girls College, thinks that contrary to what she had thought, the laptop she received from the government of Punjab is “very good” and assists her in the projects and case studies.
“This laptop is given to me as an incentive. This will inspire other students to work hard and earn themselves one.”
Like Saleem, other students also think that they concentrate on their studies more after receiving the laptop.
“This is a very good step,” says Sumama Habibullah. “Now students will concentrate more on their studies, I specially do, after receiving this laptop.”
The number of laptops distributed among the students has reached 85,000 out of the 125,000 laptops announced by the Government of Punjab.
The laptops, priced at Rs37,700 each, are distributed among students in elaborate ceremonies under the Shahbaz Sharif Youth Initiative.
Many students, who have received the laptops say that laptops have bridged the digital divide and has helped reducing reliance on crowded computer labs in their colleges and universities.
“The best thing about these laptops is that we don’t have to pay for the time we used to spend in internet cafes,” says Sana. “Now girls and boys will remain in their houses too.”
COMMENTS (19)
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shebaz zinda bad
Hey i am not a PMLN follower but this seems like a decent enough or well-intended gesture. govt. benefits to civilians are often abused but i hope this goes well.
@gujranwala789: Looking at your comment I really think that the level of education needs to be raised in Punjab. This was an immature attempt of refuting ET's reporting by claiming that such a student couldn't exist just because in Punjab people don't use such names. Seriously?
As for those criticizing the laptop scheme, would you rather be happier if those deserving students didn't get these laptops? Please appreciate whatever good is happening; these students are our future and who knows if one of these laptops could help us create a national hero!
We need to invest in our future -- i.e. students.
@Freebee:
If there is no electricity in punjab then Shahbaz sharif is not responsible for that as the electricity distribution is controlled by Federal government of PPP in islamabad, Zardari is intentionally showing his racism against people of punjab.
These are the real non-burger youth of pakistan who appreciate the government that provides them the facility because they need it unlike burgers who criticise everthing done by PMLN government in punjab.
There is no name such as sameera in punjab, in punjab muslim people use arabic name sumaira.
Shoukat Khanam is also running by 'my' 'chanda'. Where in the world the country head runs his country from his pocket????@Ali Tipu:
You mean Bcz there is no electricity so the government should seize all projects and sit idle@Freebee:
@Kaleem: Better society comes through better education not through laptops. This money could have been better spent improving and upgrading existing schools but unfortunately that would not have bought votes to Mian brothers so laptop scheme, teaching youngsters how to bribe.
A very nice step!! Thanks to Imran Khan!!
When it comes to 125K laptops, everyone starts ruing about their tax money. When a president loots this tax money and gives $10M to a shrine, we just remain silent. Please stop criticizing development projects on the basis of your political affiliation.
Everyone of us wants better society and a better nation, if 125K students can now study better, lets appreciate this. Just don't vote SS if you don't like him.
This is MY money that I pay in form of taxes, not that of Sharifs who pay Rs.5000 a year and that fact is I dont have electricity in my home for almost half a day. Bribe, bribe and more bribe since the likes of Sharifs and Zardaris know it very well that this nation is 'Bikaoo'
There are millions of kids in Pakistan who don't have the resources to go to school. If this money spent on laptops could have been diverted to those who truly deserve it, that would be a much more valuable addition than getting these marketing statements from students who can already afford to get these gadgets. Laptop is NOT a necessity, basic education is!
Motivated students will make good use of government incentives and cheating students will continue to cheat. It's like here in Canada where dishonest students take grant money given for studies and instead buy clothes and personal goods instead of using it to pay for their studies.
Indeed it is a good step and we must appreciate that.!!!!