In a major push to modernize education and bridge the digital divide, the Punjab government has approved the distribution of 10,000 laptops for private college students under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s flagship education initiative. The move aims to equip students with essential digital tools and strengthen learning outcomes in a technology-driven world.
The decision marks a significant expansion of Punjab’s laptop distribution programme, which now includes students from private colleges for the first time. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure equal access to technology and reduce disparities between public and private sector students.
Calling 2025 the “Year of Education,” the minister said the government is focused on improving access, quality, and governance across the education system. “This programme is about empowering students and preparing them for future challenges,” he said while highlighting the role of technology in modern learning.
The laptop scheme comes amid sweeping education reforms in Punjab. The government has eliminated nearly 20 lakh ghost enrolments, addressed teacher shortages by rationalizing 26,000 teaching posts, and introduced updated syllabi, revamped examination systems, and e-marking across education boards.
Early childhood education has also been prioritized, with 10,000 ECE rooms established province-wide. Alongside this, a nutrition programme is supporting around 1.1 million students daily, helping improve attendance and learning capacity.
Under the current reform drive, 268 schools have been upgraded, while 37 harassment complaints against teachers have been resolved. Merit-based governance has been emphasized, with principals appointed in 450 colleges and vice-chancellors in 29 universities strictly on merit under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Officials say the laptop scheme for private college students will complement these reforms by strengthening digital literacy and academic performance across Punjab.
The Punjab laptop initiative is expected to roll out in phases, with eligibility and distribution mechanisms to be finalized by the education department. Authorities believe the move will not only enhance students’ learning experience but also support the province’s long-term human capital development goals.
