In a historic move to transform public education in Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled a sweeping set of reforms targeting access, quality, and infrastructure in government schools. These reforms aim to modernize the province’s educational landscape and ensure equitable opportunities for all students—especially those in underserved and rural regions.
Free School Transport and Montessori Vans
One of the most notable developments is the introduction of a free transport service for students enrolled in government schools. This initiative will be Punjab’s first-ever structured school van system, designed to ease school access for children in remote and disadvantaged areas.
In addition, the Chief Minister has launched Montessori Schools on Wheels—mobile classrooms equipped with early learning materials to bring quality pre-primary education directly to young children in hard-to-reach communities.
Awards to Motivate Excellence
To encourage better performance and teaching standards, the government has introduced a “School and Teacher of the Month” award system. Schools and educators will be evaluated based on discipline, academic results, science and IT lab quality, and student engagement. The awards aim to foster a culture of accountability and motivation across Punjab’s educational institutions.
Record-Breaking Progress Through School Outsourcing
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat shared remarkable statistics showing a dramatic improvement in access to education through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Key highlights include:
- 99% increase in student enrollment
- 114% rise in teaching staff
- Over 60,000 jobs created for educated youth
- 1.3 million students currently enrolled in outsourced schools within 16 months
The next phase aims to outsource 10,500 additional schools, with the initial round receiving 40,000 applications for just 5,700 schools—a clear indication of public interest in the initiative.
Massive Infrastructure Improvements
The Punjab government has also made significant strides in upgrading school facilities across the province. Key achievements include:
- 413 new classrooms constructed
- 5,000+ classrooms renovated
- 2,887 roofs repaired
- 254,000 sq. meters of boundary walls completed
- 50+ schools converted to solar energy
- Distribution of 1,643 water tanks, 5,830 water coolers, and 9,303 blackboards
These enhancements are focused on improving the physical environment of schools, ensuring safe and supportive spaces for learning.
Nutrition and Early Childhood Development
A special emphasis has been placed on student nutrition and early childhood education:
- In districts like Faisalabad, students in outsourced schools now receive free midday meals through a community-driven nutrition model.
- Over 70,000 furniture sets have been delivered to upgrade classroom setups.
- 10,000 classrooms have been equipped with materials and resources to support early childhood education.
Technical and Language Skills Development
Under the PEEF Tech Schools pilot program, technical education centers are being launched to prepare students with hands-on vocational skills. Plans are underway to replicate these centers in rural areas, offering a promising path to employment for youth.
Additionally, a massive English Conversation Program is rolling out across the province. Aligned with IELTS Band 4 standards, the initiative aims to train 300,000 students in basic English-speaking skills within six months.
Expansion of Excellence and Nutrition Initiatives
The Nawaz Sharif Centre of Excellence, a flagship school project, will expand its capacity from 240 to 1,500 students. The government also plans to launch a School Meal Programme in six underdeveloped districts—Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Mianwali, and Bahawalnagar—providing nutritious items like milk, biscuits, and energy bars.
Digital and STEM-Focused Future
To align Punjab’s education system with global standards, the government is investing heavily in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education:
- 6,000 STEM and science labs are being established
- Teachers and students continue to receive Google-based digital training
- Teacher rationalization strategies are being implemented for better school management
Construction is also underway for hundreds of new classrooms and over 400 dedicated toilet blocks in girls’ schools, reflecting the government’s commitment to gender-sensitive education.
Standardized School Infrastructure and Vision
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to standardize school entrances across the province to create a uniform and welcoming look for public institutions. She emphasized that teacher training must be elevated to world-class standards.
“Our goal is to raise public schools in Punjab to a level that surpasses even elite private schools,” she declared.