Several school and college principals in Islamabad have reported that some Chromebooks distributed under a government digital learning initiative were not functional upon arrival. According to them, several devices could not even be switched on before use.
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training had supplied these devices through the National Book Foundation, opting for refurbished Chromebooks due to budget constraints.
When contacted, an official from the ministry acknowledged the problem but downplayed its severity. He explained that the issue was primarily with faulty chargers rather than the devices themselves.
“It was not a big problem,” the official stated. “There was an issue with some of the chargers. We have replaced them, and the matter has almost been resolved.”
He added that school and college administrators were instructed to collect replacement chargers from the ministry’s approved vendors. Most of the affected schools have already received replacements, and any remaining faulty chargers will be exchanged at no additional cost.
Explaining the decision to procure secondhand Chromebooks, the official cited financial limitations.
“Due to budget shortage, we opted for refurbished Chromebooks to facilitate as many institutions as possible,” he said. “Each device cost Rs. 11,900, and the purchase was made through a competitive bidding process.”
He also mentioned that the ministry received prior approval from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) for the procurement of used devices. All Chromebooks come with a one-month warranty.
Looking ahead, the ministry plans to expand the initiative. An additional 12,000 Chromebooks will be provided via the National Book Foundation, while the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) is set to procure another 8,000 units through a separate tender. The tender process for these new devices is scheduled to open on April 10.
According to the official, new Chromebooks would be significantly more expensive, which was a key factor in the decision to purchase refurbished units. Despite initial issues, the ministry maintains that the rollout is on track and will continue to benefit schools across the federal capital.