ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: The education ministry on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft's Partners in Learning Programme for development of skills training in information and communication technology (ICT) for teachers and students in Pakistan.

The partners in the learning programme would provide resources over the next five years to deliver skills training, technical support and broader access to technology to empower students and teachers in Pakistan, education minister Zobaida Jalal told reporters before the signing ceremony at a local hotel.

Initially, the programme would be launched in the primary and secondary schools. Besides, five IT academies would be set up in the four provinces and the capital in selected schools.

The programme's emphasis is on bolstering the ICT skills for students, educators and school leaders with a vision of forming a community of skilled innovators who realize their potential through power of ICT.

"We are committed to equipping our students with knowledge and education to utilize the latest technologies for building a dynamic workforce of the future," the minister said, adding that the government would have no fiscal obligation towards the programme. Refurbished computers would also be donated to different schools under the programme, she said.

The minister said Microsoft also expected from them to respect the intellectual property rights. Besides, the software giant would also assist Pakistan in developing an IT curricula for training of the teachers, providing support to customize the curricula according to country's need, producing IT leadership in the country and bringing some standards in the software availability.

She recalled that Ecnec had already approved an amount of Rs1.8 billion for establishing computer laboratories in 1,100 high schools in the next five years. She said, the teachers of different Madrassas would also be trained in computer to impart computer training to their students.

"Microsoft has a responsibility to help make technology more accessible and affordable to students, teachers and school administrators. We are truly excited about this partnership with the ministry of education," said Mr Emre Berkin, Vice President of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa.

"We look forward to designing a local partners in learning programme with the ministry and providing a sustained investment in technology and training to help students and teachers in Pakistan," he said.

The programme provides an investment of resources to deliver technology skills training to students, teachers and school administration and to assist in ICT integration into curricula and learning, he said.