Islamabad: Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has instructed the creation of a joint committee aimed at developing a practical and time-bound framework to reform the education system in Islamabad. The directive emphasizes setting clear deadlines and assigning institutional responsibilities to ensure effective implementation.

According to Radio Pakistan, the decision was made during a consultative meeting focused on the education system of the Islamabad Capital Territory. Iqbal highlighted the need for comprehensive improvements in teaching standards, learning outcomes, and governance to establish model schools, along with ensuring adequate infrastructure. The reform plan is to prioritize rural schools and address challenges such as inadequate facilities, teacher shortages, professional training, curriculum development, examination systems, and funding.

An evaluation presented during the meeting, conducted by the Planning Ministry’s Sector Specialist for Education, assessed 50 educational institutions, including 34 rural and 16 urban schools. The evaluation pointed out disparities in educational quality, weaker learning outcomes in rural institutions, and a gap between examination results and students’ actual understanding. The meeting was attended by MNAs Anjum Aqeel Khan and Farah Naz, Secretary Federal Education and Professional Training Nadeem Mahbub, members of the Planning Commission, deans, senior policy experts, and other stakeholders from Islamabad’s education sector.