Punjab Announces Star Cards for Talented Students

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has introduced a series of groundbreaking initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the education system in Punjab.

The CM Education Card is set to launch, aiming to streamline school education, while high-achieving students scoring above 80 percent will be recognized with the CM Eminence/Star Card for their outstanding academic performance.

During a special meeting on school education, chaired by the CM, significant progress was reported following the outsourcing of schools. This move has resulted in a remarkable 52 percent increase in student enrollment and an impressive 89 percent rise in the number of teachers.

Under the Public School Reorganization Program, student numbers have surged from 242,000 to 368,000, with the teacher workforce expanding from 8,037 to 15,114. Moreover, teacher salaries have tripled, and classroom facilities, including desks and chairs, have increased from 371,000 to 523,000 units.

The government’s plans include establishing modern Schools of Eminence across all tehsils in Punjab, ensuring high-quality educational institutions are accessible everywhere. Additionally, a state-of-the-art Matriculation Tech lab will be established, and technical education will be introduced from grade five onwards.

Efforts by the Textbook Board have resulted in savings of one billion rupees, with a commitment to providing drinking water, furniture, and school maintenance within a 90-day timeframe. The CM has set an ambitious annual enrollment target of two million children.

To address nutritional needs, a school meal program will be initiated in districts like Bhakkar and Layyah. A performance monitoring system based on KPIs will be implemented for education officers and teachers. Following the CM’s directives, English conversation classes have been launched in 338 schools in Lahore, with plans for international English courses with certification in government schools underway.

Road safety around schools will be prioritized with the strict implementation of zebra crossings. For the first time, textbooks have been distributed at the start of the academic session in March.

With support from the British Council, five government school teachers will have the opportunity to participate in a study tour of Scotland.

The ongoing school meal program has shown promising results in districts like Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur, leading to improved physical development, attendance, and enrollment figures.

Expanding its capacity from 250 to 1,200 students, the Nawaz Sharif Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education is set to play a pivotal role. The CM commended Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat for enrolling his son in an Early Childhood Education Centre, citing it as a model example.

Under the School Teacher Internship Program, 12,500 interns will be recruited across Punjab, with a substantial number of applications already received. Outsourcing initiatives have facilitated the construction of new classrooms and the renovation of existing facilities, enhancing educational infrastructure across the province.

New computer labs have been established through community efforts, and 235,000 students have enrolled in 2,000 Matric Tech schools, which offer subjects such as agriculture, fashion design, health sciences, and ICT.

The appointment process for 287 CEOs, DEOs, and education officers has been completed, with interviews personally conducted by the Education Minister.

Support from the Alumni Association will contribute to the construction of new school facilities. Additionally, under the “One Plant, One Teacher’s Name” initiative, two million saplings have been planted, with plans to build 30,000 classrooms, 600 elementary schools, and 400 high schools over the next five years.