LAHORE, Dec 19: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the government is taking measures for the promotion of information technology so as to equip the new generation with the latest knowledge.

He said computer laboratories would be set up in more than 4,000 schools in the province at a cost of Rs5 billion.

The chief minister said this while presiding over a meeting regarding establishment of information technology laboratories here on Friday. The Planning and Development chairman, additional chief secretary, schools secretary and information technology secretary besides representatives of various computer companies were also present.

According to a handout, the chief minister said the promotion of information technology was the need of the hour and the government had evolved a comprehensive strategy to set up computer laboratories in all higher secondary schools. He said the information technology would be made available in all schools from Attock to Rajanpur.

The chief minister asked representatives of computer companies to prepare a complete package for the establishment of computer laboratories in schools, and they should also include provision of computers, their maintenance and training of teachers.

He said the world had assumed the form of a global village owing to information technology which was helping various countries in making a rapid progress.

Meanwhile, at a meeting regarding recruitment of educators, the chief minister said the elimination of illiteracy and promotion of quality education was his top priority and, for this purpose, some 40,000 educators were being recruited in the province.

Mr Shahbaz said he had issued instructions for setting up a special steering committee comprising divisional commissioners, elected representatives and district education officers for close monitoring and scrutiny of the recruitment process of educators.

He said the government was taking steps for the uplift of the education sector within its limited resources and had evolved such projects as construction of model schools, provision of basic facilities and establishment of endowment fund for the talented students.