Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the laptop scheme for students during a crucial meeting focusing on comprehensive reforms in the higher education sector.
As per the scheme, latest laptops would be provided to students across Punjab, marking a return of the initiative after seven years. The meeting was briefed on the promotion of higher education, laptop, and transport facilities for students. It also agreed to establish new universities and colleges in backward districts on a priority basis.
The chief minister outlined the government's vision to ensure the availability of international standard universities in every district and colleges at the tehsil level.
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Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's declaration of "Educational Emergency" highlighting the government's determination to address the challenges facing the education sector. She stressed the need for a comprehensive revamp of the school and higher education sectors to meet the evolving needs of students and prepare them for the challenges of the future.
"We are giving away 20,000 motorbikes to students across the province," she reiterated, adding that the Punjab government was investing in the development of the knowledge economy and ICT education.
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The meeting was also briefed on the fact that the budget allocation for higher education remained substantial during the tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) governments. Furthermore, statistics presented during the briefing highlighted the enrollment in universities across Punjab, with more than 650,000 students currently pursuing higher education.
Notably, the ratio of female students in universities surpassed that of male students, with 56% women and 44% men enrolled.
