In a major step toward embracing the digital age, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared that Information Technology (IT) will now be a compulsory subject for all students from class 6 onwards across the country. The decision was made during a high-level meeting conducted on Wednesday, where officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication gathered to explain the future of tech education in Pakistan.
Preparing Students for the Digital Economy
PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the necessity to equip the younger generation with the latest skills to thrive in the digital economy. “We must need to prepare our young generation today for the jobs of tomorrow,” he claimed. Shehbaz also stressed that IT education should be made a consistent and quality part of school curriculums, urging close coordination with provincial governments to execute this nationwide.
The government is intending to create a centralized system for IT learning while ensuring regional inclusivity, especially in underdeveloped areas such as
- Islamabad
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir
- Balochistan
Training the Nation for a Digital Future
In the current fiscal year (2024–2025), the Ministry has already made strides—offering advanced IT training to nearly 50,000 individuals and general IT training to over 600,000 people. These numbers reflect the government’s aggressive push to digitally upskill the population.
As part of the “School Broadband Connectivity Project,” internet access is being expanded across schools in Islamabad to support this new curriculum.
Global Partnerships for High-Quality Learning
The Pakistani government has also partnered with tech giant Huawei to bolster its efforts. Huawei is setting up skills and vocational training centers at top institutions such as the International Islamic University Islamabad, NUST, and COMSATS University Lahore.
Moreover, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and big data training is being introduced at these institutions GIK Institute (Topi), UET Taxila, and Mehran University (Jamshoro).
The initiative will also see the upgradation of 1,300 laboratories and provide training to over 146,000 students nationwide.
A Nation on the Move
This landmark decision marks a major turning point in Pakistan’s educational landscape. By introducing IT as a major subject early on, the government is highly investing in a future where Pakistani students can become global tech leaders.