PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday reviewed progress on educational reforms, establishment of virtual schools and the introduction of artificial intelligence-based teaching systems across the province.

An official handout said that he chaired a meeting of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department.

The meeting was briefed on the government initiative to establish Pakistan’s first public sector virtual school and launch an AI Teacher programme as part of a transformative strategy to modernise the education sector.

The chief minister approved the establishment of the AI Education Authority and directed authorities to complete necessary homework for its operationalisation.

He said that overseas students and out-of-school children receiving education through the virtual school system should be accorded the status of regular students to maximise educational outreach and inclusivity.

Mr Afridi said that the introduction of virtual schools and AI teacher systems was a necessity in the present era, terming it a game-changer for students hailing from remote and underdeveloped areas.

He said that artificial intelligence driven educational technologies would create personalised learning opportunities for students, while AI based instructional support would reduce workload of teachers besides improving the quality of classroom instruction.

The chief minister lauded the Elementary and Secondary Education Department and the Elementary and Secondary Education Foundation for introducing reforms in line with contemporary educational requirements and emerging global trends.

Officials told the meeting that on a pilot basis, online learning systems had been introduced in 46 government schools across the province, including 33 schools in settled districts and 13 schools in merged districts.

Participants were informed that a dedicated scheme for expansion of virtual schools would be launched under the upcoming Annual Development Programme in June, under which an additional 175 schools would be converted into virtual schools during the next phase.

The officials said that a central digital teaching studio had been established under the project equipped to deliver live interactive classes and lecture recording facilities.

They said that through the AI Teacher system, instruction was currently being delivered in subjects including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, while the platform would remain available 24 hours a day in Urdu, English, and Pashto. Officials further stated that the project carries a total approved cost of Rs153.8 million, while Rs44.85 million has been allocated specifically for the establishment of the Tele Education Centre.

The chief minister directed authorities to expedite implementation of the initiative to ensure timely provision of modern and quality educational facilities to students across the province.

Chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, principal secretary to the chief minister Amer Sultan Tareen, elementary and secondary education secretary Mohammad Khalid, Elementary and Secondary Education Foundation managing director Qaiser Alam and others attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026