Punjab to extend laptop scheme to private students

Lahore: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced that the provincial government has decided to extend its laptop scheme to students of private educational institutions, with 10,000 laptops to be distributed under the initiative.

Speaking about the performance of the Education Department, the minister said 2025 had been declared the year of initiatives to improve education, adding that the government had continued reform-focused measures throughout the year.

Hayat said around two million ghost enrolments were eliminated from educational institutions, while teacher shortages were addressed through the rationalisation of 26,000 teachers. He added that syllabus reforms were carried out, examination systems were improved and education boards were shifted to e-marking.

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He said the government placed special emphasis on early childhood education by establishing Early Childhood Education rooms in 10,000 schools, benefiting a large number of young learners. He added that 1.1 million male and female students were receiving daily benefits through the nutrition programme.

According to the minister, 268 schools were upgraded across Punjab, while decisions were taken in 37 cases related to harassment of teachers. He also said the process of appointing principals on merit in 450 colleges and vice-chancellors in 29 universities had been completed.