LAHORE: The board of governors (BoG) of the Daanish Schools Authority on Tuesday approved a budget of Rs3.8 billion for the year 2026-27.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat chaired the Daanish Schools Authority board meeting, while Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ahmad Mallick and other members were also present.
Two female students of the Daanish Schools, who secured top positions in the Matric examinations, were also invited to participate in the meeting. They were included in the consultation process and their suggestions were sought on various matters.
During the meeting, on the directions of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the BoG increased the quota of students of Balochistan from 10 percent to 30 percent, while other provinces’ quota would remain at 10 percent, including that of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The board members also decided to allot a special quota for the students from Bangladesh.
Sources told Dawn that the BoG asked an additional Rs3.5 billion for the provision of facilities at Daanish Schools of Taunsa and Mankera, Bhakkar district. Sources said that as the classes and number of students had been increased in all Daanish Schools of the province, there was also a need to increase science laboratories, hostels and rooms in all the schools.
Quota for students from Balochistan increased to 30pc from 10pc, special quota introduced for students from Bangladesh
Daanish Schools reserve a 10 to 20pc quota for self-finance students. Self-finance fees typically range from Rs16,500 to Rs20,500 per month, depending on the specific campus and academic year.
During the meeting, the minister said that around 1,100 students from other provinces were currently studying in Daanish Schools under the special quota system. He said students from Bangladesh would also become part of this educational initiative from the next academic year.
Mr Hayat said that 3,460 graduates of the schools were currently providing professional services in different fields, while 110 such students had been continuing their education at the Beaconhouse University on full scholarships.
The minister was informed during the meeting that an AI-based syllabus had been introduced for students from grade 6 to grade 9, while special focus was being given to developing students’ social skills. The meeting was further informed that a total of 16 daycare centres had been established in Daanish Schools and the Centers of Excellence.
It was also briefed that the plantation of 71,000 trees was being mapped and monitored to track progress.
The minister directed officials to prepare a mechanism for global scholarships and outreach programmes for Daanish School students and present it in the next meeting. He also directed timely completion of upgradation of Daanish Schools in Mianwali, DG Khan, Fazilpur, Arifwala and Phoolnagar, emphasising that no compromise should be made on infrastructure quality.
Minister Hayat said that those who criticised the Daanish School Project in the past, were now seeking recommendations for their children’s admissions.
“Similarly, those who are politicising the Schools of Eminence project today will also be standing in queues for their children’s admissions tomorrow,” he remarked.
Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026