PM gives one week to fix problems in Islamabad government schools

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed that outstanding issues in Islamabad's government schools be resolved within a week. He chaired a high-level meeting on reforms in the federal capital's government schools and called for urgent action on infrastructure, curriculum, teacher training and other areas.

Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal was directed to ensure that the identified issues were addressed within the stipulated time. The authorities were told to mobilise all available resources to resolve infrastructure problems on an emergency basis.

According to ProPakistani, the meeting followed a survey carried out on the prime minister's instructions in September. The survey found that most government schools had internet access, clean drinking water and computer laboratories, but a briefing at the meeting said some schools still faced infrastructure problems.

The prime minister called for immediate action on deficiencies, including the installation of smart boards, better medical facilities and ramps for students with physical disabilities. He ordered smart boards to be installed in all institutions at the earliest.

He also directed the launch of a free lunch programme in government schools, which ProPakistani said is meant to improve students' nutrition. He ordered an expansion of the government's school bus service. Officials told the meeting that 278 government buses were operating across Islamabad, and they were asked to explore outsourcing transport and introducing third-party validation.

On teaching, the prime minister directed that teacher recruitment be strictly merit-based and that teachers not be given duties unrelated to teaching, so they can focus on educational activities. He also called for greater authority for head teachers, improved teacher training and curriculum changes.

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), which oversees the capital's federal government schools, was asked to prepare a comprehensive strategy to become a more efficient and effective institution. The prime minister also called for greater use of solar energy in schools.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Musadik Masood Malik, Attaullah Tarar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, State Minister for Finance Bilal Kiani and senior officials attended the meeting.