Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered urgent reforms in Islamabad's government schools, directing that their outstanding issues be resolved within a week. Chairing a high-level meeting on reforms in the federal capital's government schools, he instructed Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal to ensure the work was completed within that timeframe.

What the order covers

The reforms span infrastructure, curriculum, teacher training and other areas, with authorities told to mobilise all available resources and address infrastructure problems on an emergency basis. The prime minister stressed that providing students with a safe learning environment was the government's responsibility. He also ordered the activation of a free lunch programme in government schools to support students' nutrition, and the installation of smart boards in all government schools at the earliest.

Transport, access and institutions

To improve access, the prime minister called for expanding the government school bus service, including outsourcing bus services for student transport along with third-party validation. He directed that ramps be installed in all institutions to facilitate students with physical disabilities, promoted solarisation in government schools, and called for quality medical facilities in schools. He also directed the formulation of a strategy to transform the Federal Directorate of Education into an effective and efficient institution.

What success will look like

The test of this order will be visible within days: whether infrastructure faults are actually repaired, lunches and transport changes reach classrooms, and the promised strategy for the education directorate is published. The announcement itself sets a one-week deadline, but it does not publish a school-by-school list of faults or a budget for the work. Parents and teachers in Islamabad will be best placed to judge whether the deadline is met in practice.

Sources: Express Tribune (via summary), Click Pakistan.