The Punjab government has introduced a wide range of new education reforms aimed at improving learning opportunities for students across the province. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved these reforms in a meeting held in Lahore, where officials discussed key improvements in scholarships, digital training, and institutional development.
Students who want to enroll in these Google-supported IT courses can apply through the official Punjab government certification portal, where eligible candidates can register and access available training programs.
Punjab launches free Google-backed IT courses for 100,000 students
These reforms are expected to play an important role in modernizing the education system and creating better learning opportunities for students across Punjab.
Free Google-Backed IT Courses for 100,000 Students in Punjab
A major part of the plan includes a partnership with Google to provide free IT certification courses. Under this initiative, more than 100,000 students in Punjab will receive free training in advanced digital fields. These courses usually cost between $400 and $1,000, but students will now get them without any fee.
The training programs will cover important modern subjects such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and business intelligence. Each course will run for three to six months, helping students gain practical skills that are in demand in today’s job market.
In addition to IT training, the government has also approved the establishment of modern IT laboratories in 166 government colleges. These labs are designed to improve access to digital learning tools and support students in gaining hands-on technical experience. Officials said this step will help strengthen the overall quality of education in public colleges.
The government has also introduced a new performance monitoring system for educational institutions. This system will set clear performance indicators for teachers, principals, vice chancellors, and institutions. The aim is to improve accountability and ensure better academic results across the province.
Another major decision is the expansion of the Honhaar Scholarship Programme. For the first time, 62,949 students will receive scholarships at the same time. Authorities have been instructed to ensure that no eligible student is left out. The financial support will be distributed in phases to manage the large-scale program effectively.
The education reforms also include changes in college structure. A total of 36 commerce colleges across 29 districts will now be affiliated with 19 public universities. These colleges will introduce 14 bachelor’s degree programs, including business, finance, information technology, and e-commerce.
To improve student facilities, the government has also approved the launch of electric bus services for students. This initiative aims to provide safer and more environmentally friendly transport for educational institutions.
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In the second phase of the laptop distribution scheme, special and minority students will be included on an open merit basis. Officials reported that more than 38,000 students benefited from the first phase, while over 142,000 applications have already been received for the next phase.
The meeting was also briefed on academic performance results. Around 994,000 students appeared in Grade 8 assessments. Female students achieved a 92% pass rate, while male students recorded an 84% pass rate. Officials also noted that female students secured the top three positions in the province.
Finally, the Chief Minister directed authorities to take immediate steps to improve educational institutions in Sargodha and other underperforming areas. The goal is to ensure equal quality education across all regions of Punjab.
