PUNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s initiatives in the education sector mark a significant and commendable shift toward long-overdue reform.
Chairing a detailed meeting of the School Education Department, the Chief Minister laid out a necessary roadmap to upgrade and modernize the province’s public school system.
This is an investment in the future of our children and, by extension, the future of our nation.
One of the standout elements of the meeting was the announcement of Rs10 billion in funding to provide necessary facilities in schools within 90 days, along with the directive to construct additional classrooms and repair nearly 3,350 dilapidated buildings.
This reflects an acute understanding that a conducive learning environment—safe, clean and equipped with basic amenities—is foundational to any successful education system.
Equally praiseworthy is the focus on rural and underserved areas.
Historically, rural schools have lagged behind their urban counterparts in infrastructure and academic resources.
By prioritizing the construction and repair of buildings across the province, the government is acknowledging that equitable access to quality education is non-negotiable.
The establishment of 300 tech-ed (technical education) schools in 10 tehsils is perhaps the most forward-looking initiative of all.
Not all children excel in conventional academic settings and the inclusion of vocational and technical education will allow students to explore and develop skills that can lead to stable, dignified livelihoods.
This is a powerful way to bridge the gap between education and employment, particularly for youth who may otherwise be left behind.
In parallel, initiatives such as training half a million students in spoken English and expanding the school meal programme to tackle malnutrition are both timely and necessary.
These measures address not just academic learning, but also the social and developmental needs of students, preparing them to be confident, capable contributors in an increasingly globalized world.
Education, along with health, forms the backbone of any prosperous society.
Without educated and healthy citizens, no nation can truly progress.
It is heartening to see that these sectors are being placed where they belong—at the very top of the government’s priority list.
