Islamabad Government Schools Set for Major Changes: Free Lunches, Smart Boards and Better Transport

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to introduce urgent reforms in government schools across Islamabad. The measures aim to improve school buildings, teaching standards, student welfare and access to education.

During a high-level meeting on October 28, 2026, the prime minister asked officials to address identified school-related issues within one week. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was given responsibility for ensuring that the required steps are taken within the set timeframe.

Free Lunches and Smart Boards Planned

One of the key measures is the reactivation of a free lunch programme for students in government schools. The initiative aims to support students’ nutritional needs during the school day.

The prime minister also ordered the installation of smart boards in government schools to improve classroom teaching and support the use of digital learning tools.

Authorities have additionally been directed to address infrastructure problems and provide students with a safe and suitable learning environment.

Better Transport and Accessible Schools

The reform plan includes expanding school bus services to help students travel to and from school. Officials were also directed to consider outsourced transport services, with third-party checks to assess their performance.

Other measures include:

• Promoting solar power in government schools.

• Installing ramps to improve access for students with physical disabilities.

• Improving medical facilities available to students.

• Strengthening teacher training and curriculum delivery.

Officials informed the meeting that 278 government buses were already operating in Islamabad to support school transport.

Merit-Based Teacher Recruitment

The prime minister stressed that teachers should focus on teaching and educational activities rather than being assigned unrelated duties.

He also directed authorities to ensure that teacher recruitment is based strictly on merit. The government plans to develop a strategy to make the Federal Directorate of Education more effective in managing schools and improving educational standards.

What Happens Next?

The government has set a one-week timeframe to address the identified problems in Islamabad’s government schools. The next step will be to see how quickly the relevant departments implement the instructions and deliver the planned improvements.

The measures cover several areas, from classroom technology and transport to student nutrition and accessibility. Their impact will depend on implementation, available resources and continued monitoring.