ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the urgent implementation of reforms in infrastructure, curriculum, teacher training and other areas in all government schools in Islamabad.
Chairing a meeting on reforms in the federal capital’s schools, the prime minister called for a strategy to transform the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) into an effective and efficient institution.
“All infrastructure-related issues in Islamabad’s government schools should be resolved on an urgent basis,” a press release quoted the prime minister as saying, adding that providing students with a safe environment was the government’s responsibility.
He directed the authorities to activate a free lunch programme to ensure proper nutrition for students in government schools. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was instructed to resolve the issues facing the capital’s government schools within a week.
Directs installation of smart boards, revival of free lunch programme and resolution of infrastructure issues
The prime minister also ordered the installation of smart boards in all schools as soon as possible and directed the authorities to immediately utilise all available resources to address the problems faced by educational institutions.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he said teachers in government schools should focus exclusively on teaching and should not be assigned activities unrelated to education.
He called for expanding the coverage of government school buses and directed that teachers’ appointments be made strictly on merit.
The prime minister also emphasised promoting solarisation in government schools and installing ramps to facilitate students with disabilities. He further directed the relevant departments to ensure the provision of quality healthcare facilities in schools.
During the meeting, officials presented a survey report on the curriculum, infrastructure and other matters concerning government schools in Islamabad. The survey had been conducted in accordance with the prime minister’s directions issued in September 2026.
The meeting was informed that most government schools in the capital had basic facilities, including internet connectivity, clean drinking water and computer laboratories. Officials also highlighted infrastructure-related problems identified in some schools.
The briefing underscored the need to empower head teachers and promote innovation in the education system.
Officials informed the meeting that 278 government buses were operating across Islamabad to transport students to schools.
Federal ministers Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Attaullah Tarar and Dr Musadik Masood Malik, State Minister Bilal Azhar Kiani and other government officials attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, sources said officials of the education ministry, FDE and Capital Development Authority (CDA) held a meeting after the prime minister’s meeting and decided that the CDA would immediately undertake repair and maintenance work at five schools.
According to sources, the prime minister had directed the CDA to assist the FDE with construction and maintenance work in its schools. The authority would initially work on five school buildings in precarious condition and extend its efforts to other institutions later at the FDE’s request.
Previously, the now-defunct Public Works Department (PWD) carried out such work in FDE-run schools and colleges.
The CDA will now undertake these responsibilities.
Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026
