Addressing a ceremony in Arifwala, she said government schools across Punjab are being transformed into modern educational institutions equipped with facilities comparable to those available in expensive private schools.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that education is the foundation of a progressive society and reaffirmed the government s commitment to providing quality education to every child without discrimination. She encouraged students in public schools to take pride in their institutions, saying the government is investing heavily to improve educational standards and infrastructure.
Referring to the ongoing monsoon season, the chief minister urged parents to pay special attention to their children s safety. She expressed sorrow over recent incidents in which children lost their lives due to the collapse of an under-construction building and warned families to keep children away from open manholes, drains, and railway tracks.
She said the government has directed district administrations to immediately cover open manholes, while also ordering strict action against those who steal manhole covers and endanger public safety.
Maryam Nawaz stated that the responsibility of serving Punjab s 130 million citizens and millions of students rests with the government, making education, healthcare, and child protection its top priorities. She added that the network of Green Electric Buses is being expanded to provide students with safe and comfortable transportation.
The chief minister said the Punjab government is spending Rs40 billion to upgrade public schools by constructing new classrooms and providing quality furniture, clean drinking water, toilets, electricity, fans, and other essential facilities.
She announced that 100,000 laptops will be distributed to students, while an additional 50,000 scholarships will be awarded to talented students to help them continue their education without financial hardship.
Highlighting the government s focus on future technologies, Maryam Nawaz said new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) facilities, computer and IT laboratories are being established across the province. She added that Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratories are being introduced in Punjab for the first time and urged young people to learn AI, machine learning, robotics, and other digital skills to prepare for future careers.
She also noted the overwhelming response to admissions at the Nawaz Sharif School of Eminence, where thousands of students competed for a limited number of seats. According to her, children of laborers, government employees, and families from different backgrounds are studying together, reflecting the government s commitment to merit rather than financial status.
Maryam Nawaz further said that Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat s own son is enrolled in a government school, calling it a demonstration of the government s confidence in the public education system.
The chief minister announced that 300 additional modern government schools will soon be established across Punjab as part of the ongoing education reforms. She reaffirmed the government s commitment to completing these initiatives, saying that quality education is the foundation of a strong and prosperous Pakistan.
