Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given authorities just one week to fix the remaining problems in Islamabad government schools. In a meeting on education reforms, he told Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to personally oversee the work and make sure issues found in a recent survey are resolved within the deadline. The orders cover teachers, facilities, transport and even a free meal for students.
Survey Findings on Islamabad Government Schools
In September, the PM had ordered a survey of public schools in the federal capital. It showed that most schools now have internet, clean drinking water and computer labs. However, some schools still face infrastructure gaps and other issues, and these are the problems the one-week deadline is about.
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Main Orders in PM Shehbaz Sharif Education Reforms
The PM Shehbaz Sharif education reforms meeting gave clear directions:
| Area | Directive |
|---|---|
| Classrooms | Install smart boards in schools |
| Health | Improve medical facilities |
| Accessibility | Build ramps for students with disabilities |
| Nutrition | Start a free lunch programme |
| Transport | Expand school bus service (278 buses now running) |
| Energy | Increase solar power use in schools |
| Administration | More powers for head teachers |
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Big Focus on Teachers
Teachers were at the centre of the discussion. The PM ordered:
- Merit-based teacher recruitment with no compromise.
- No more non-teaching duties for teachers, so they can focus on classrooms.
- Better teacher training programmes.
- Curriculum reforms in line with modern needs.
For teachers in Islamabad government schools, the end of extra duties is a long-standing demand. Many teachers are regularly assigned census, polio, election and other administrative work, which affects teaching time.
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Role of the Federal Directorate of Education
The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), which runs hundreds of schools and colleges in Islamabad, has been asked to prepare a strategy to improve its own performance and school management. The PM also asked officials to look at outsourcing school transport and bringing in third-party validation of progress.
Who Attended the Meeting
Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Attaullah Tarar and Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, State Minister for Finance Bilal Kiani and senior officials attended the meeting.
What It Means for Parents and Students
If the orders are carried out, parents of students in Islamabad government schools can expect better buses, ramps for special children, more digital classrooms and a free lunch for students. Free meals are known worldwide to improve attendance and concentration, especially for children from low-income families.
Will Other Provinces Follow?
Islamabad often acts as a model for education reforms. Punjab is already working on school outsourcing and new timetables, as we reported in our story on Punjab school winter timings 2026. If the free lunch and smart classroom plans succeed in the capital, provinces may adopt similar steps.
What To Do Next
- Teachers in Islamabad should watch for FDE notices on duties and training.
- Parents can share feedback with school heads, who are getting more powers.
- Follow official updates on the Federal Directorate of Education website.
Why This Matters for Teachers Across Pakistan
The decision to stop non-teaching duties is important for teachers everywhere. In many provinces teachers are regularly called for polio drives, census, elections and surveys, which leaves classrooms empty for days. If Islamabad government schools succeed in freeing teachers from such work, teacher unions in other provinces are likely to ask for the same. Better training and merit-based teacher recruitment also mean that new teachers will be selected through transparent tests and interviews.
The free lunch idea is also important. Research in many countries shows that a daily meal increases enrolment and attendance, especially for girls and children from poor families. It also helps concentration in class. If the programme is launched successfully in Islamabad government schools, it could become a model for the whole country.
What Critics Say
Some education experts say one week is a very short time to fix deep problems, and real progress will depend on proper funding and monitoring. They suggest publishing a progress report so parents can see which schools have improved. Third-party validation, which the PM also mentioned, could help make the results more transparent.
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FAQs
What deadline did the PM give for Islamabad government schools?
One week to resolve the problems identified in the survey.
Will students get free lunch?
The PM directed the introduction of a free lunch programme; details are awaited.
Will teachers stop doing non-teaching duties?
The PM ordered that teachers should not be given non-education duties.