Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the launch of a free lunch programme for students in government schools across Islamabad as part of a broader initiative to improve education and student welfare.
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting on reforms in the federal capital’s government schools. The prime minister said the programme should help ensure that students receive proper nutrition, while directing authorities to address problems affecting the quality of education.
He instructed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to resolve identified issues in Islamabad’s government schools within one week. Authorities have also been directed to address infrastructure problems urgently and provide students with a safe and suitable learning environment.
The prime minister ordered the installation of smart boards in government schools to improve teaching and learning facilities. He also called for reforms in the Federal Directorate of Education and stressed that teachers should focus on teaching rather than unrelated administrative duties. Teacher recruitment, he said, must be conducted strictly on merit.
Other measures include expanding school bus services, promoting solar energy in educational institutions, installing ramps for students with disabilities and improving access to medical facilities.
Officials informed the meeting that most government schools in Islamabad already have basic facilities, including internet connectivity, clean drinking water and computer laboratories. However, a survey identified infrastructure-related issues in some institutions. The government has directed the relevant departments to address these shortcomings as part of its wider school reform initiative.
