Lahore, In a significant move to overhaul school education, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has mandated the immediate distribution of textbooks and initiated a new procedure for appointing Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Education in each district. This decision came during a comprehensive review meeting focused on school education reforms, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality and accessibility of education across the province.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sharif discussed several key proposals, including the establishment of the Punjab School Inspectorate, a standardized Matriculation Exam Board, and centralizing school education governance. The Chief Minister approved the organization of a school hockey league and Pakistan’s largest “School Olympics” as part of efforts to foster physical education and sports among students.
The newly proposed selection mechanism for education CEOs will involve a rigorous process, including tests, interviews, computer literacy examinations, and specialized training, to ensure that only the most capable individuals lead the educational districts. Emphasizing the importance of timely educational resources, Chief Minister Sharif declared that delays in textbook deliveries were unacceptable and ordered that educational materials for special needs children be made available in government schools across each district. Additionally, the introduction of character-building classes in government schools was announced.
The briefing to Chief Minister Sharif revealed plans for the proposed authority to focus on teacher and curriculum development, school improvement, teacher training, curriculum development, testing and assessment, and learning outcomes. In an inclusive approach to education, schools for transgender students will be established at the divisional level. With 41% of textbooks already supplied, the goal is to complete distribution in all schools by May, moving the delivery date to February for the next academic year to avoid future delays. A new storybook addressing environmental pollution and climate change was also introduced to the Chief Minister during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Information Minister Uzmi Zahid Bukhari, School Education Minister Rana Iskandar Hayat, MPA Sania Ashiq, and the Chief Secretary, underscoring the provincial government’s concerted effort to reform and improve educational standards in Punjab.