Web Desk: Google will provide free professional certification courses to over 100,000 students in Punjab. This landmark agreement aims to modernize the provincial education system. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a high-level meeting to approve these tech-driven initiatives.
Under this partnership, Google will waive certification fees ranging from $400 to $1,000 per student. The program offers intensive three-to-six-month courses. Students can choose high-demand fields like Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Business Intelligence.
New IT Labs and Scholarships
The provincial government also approved modern IT labs for 166 government colleges. Chief Minister Nawaz expanded financial assistance for students across the province. In a historic move, 62,949 students will receive ‘Honest Scholarships’ during this single phase.
The administration also confirmed progress on the Chief Minister Laptop Scheme. While 38,000 students benefited from the first phase, officials have received 142,000 applications for phase two. The government now includes minority students and visually impaired individuals in the open merit distribution.
Performance Metrics and Academic Reforms
The government introduced ‘Key Performance Indicators’ (KPIs) to ensure educational quality. These metrics evaluate the performance of colleges, principals, and teachers. They also track Vice-Chancellors of public universities.
As part of this restructuring, 36 commerce colleges will affiliate with 19 public universities. These institutions will offer 14 specialized BS disciplines, including Finance and E-commerce. This plan covers 29 districts across the province.
Improved Welfare and Transportation
The meeting approved an electric bus facility for college students to resolve transportation issues. Chief Minister Nawaz also directed teams to repair dilapidated school buildings on a priority basis. This work will begin immediately in districts like Sargodha.
The session concluded with a review of Grade 8 assessment exams. Statistics showed that 994,000 students participated in these tests. Female students achieved a remarkable 92 percent success rate and secured the top three positions. The Chief Minister issued a special message of appreciation for the girls’ academic performance.
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