Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has initiated a strategic 60-day roadmap to reform Islamabad’s education system, focusing on governance, accountability, and quality improvements. During a meeting of the Joint Committee on ICT Education Reforms, Iqbal emphasized the need for a comprehensive restructuring of the education sector to establish a model for reform, including the creation of an autonomous education authority with an independent Board of Governors.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting gathered key figures, including MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz, Parliamentary Secretary for Education Wajiha Qamar, and senior education experts, to deliberate on directives from the Prime Minister for an accelerated reform plan. The proposed authority is set to have a merit-selected Chief Executive Officer, with clearly defined roles to ensure a smooth transition. This initiative aims to enhance administrative autonomy and improve the performance of public-sector schools, which have been underperforming despite significant government investment.
Ahsan Iqbal also addressed the recruitment of 1,100 teachers, advocating for a contractual hiring model to attract qualified professionals, inspired by successful initiatives in Punjab. He emphasized the importance of improved teaching quality, drawing lessons from international models like China’s focus on teacher-student engagement. Infrastructure improvements, particularly for rural and girls’ schools, were prioritized, ensuring safe and functional school facilities.
The meeting underscored the need for a uniform curriculum to bridge educational disparities between public and private schools. The Planning Commission reported on the existing education network in Islamabad, encompassing 432 educational institutions and various private and informal schools. The proposed reforms, structured around eight key themes, aim to enhance governance, infrastructure, teacher quality, curriculum, and student equity, supported by a detailed implementation framework.
The Minister urged all stakeholders to collaborate in transforming the proposed reforms into a practical framework, enhancing the quality, accessibility, and accountability of education in Islamabad.