Punjab decides rolling out teachers’ dress code, CCTV, distance learning in public schools

• CM Maryam Nawaz chairs key education reforms meeting, decides engaging Suthra Punjab programme to ensure cleanliness in schools

• Approves CCTV cameras, School Improvement Card with Phase IV of school outsourcing

 LAHORE: The Punjab government on Thursday decided to introduce a formal dress code for schoolteachers and engage the Suthra Punjab programme to ensure improved cleanliness in public schools, during a special meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

A comprehensive briefing on school education was presented at the meeting, during which several key decisions were taken. It was agreed in principle to install CCTV cameras in schools, while a School Improvement Card will be introduced to facilitate the outsourcing process. Approval was also granted for Phase IV of outsourcing under the Punjab Public School Reorganisation Programme.

The meeting further decided to introduce distance learning in schools for the first time in the province, alongside the launch of audio-visual teaching methods. It was informed that by March, 140 Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence would become functional.

According to the briefing, spoken English classes are currently being conducted in 344 schools for 42,614 students and 3,566 teachers, while the chief minister set a target of extending spoken English classes to 500,000 students. The school meal programme is presently benefiting 1.137 million students across 13 districts.

Officials told the meeting that following the outsourcing of government schools, enrolment had increased by more than 800 per cent overall, including a 114pc rise after Phase I and a further 24pc increase after Phase II. Teachers’ strength also rose by 40pc in Phase I and 46pc in Phase II.

The briefing further stated that 866 new classrooms were constructed in 540 schools after outsourcing, while construction and repair work was carried out in thousands of classrooms. More than 2.7 million square feet of boundary walls were constructed or repaired, 5,067 toilets were built or renovated, and paint work was completed in 8,911 schools. In addition, 160,450 new furniture sets were provided, along with the installation of 3,665 water tanks and 18,380 water coolers.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said her government was committed to ensuring that every child received quality education in public schools and could move forward in life with confidence. She added that the standard of government schools would be raised to a level where parents would prefer enrolling their children there, stressing that improving the condition of every public school in Punjab was her responsibility.