PM Shehbaz Directs Mandatory IT Education from Grade 6 to Boost Digital Economy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the formulation of an immediate strategy to introduce Information Technology (IT) as a compulsory subject from Grade 6 nationwide, aiming to prepare youth for the digital economy.
Key Decisions & Initiatives:
- IT Education Expansion:
- IT will be integrated into school curricula from Grade 6 onwards, with collaboration sought from provincial governments to ensure standardized education.
- Special IT training programs will be launched in underdeveloped regions, including Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Balochistan.
- Digital Infrastructure Upgrades:
- The “School Broadband Connectivity Project” is enhancing internet infrastructure in Islamabad schools.
- Huawei is partnering with leading universities (NUST, IIUI, COMSATS) to establish skills training centers.
- Advanced courses in AI, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Cybersecurity have been introduced at top engineering universities.
- Workforce Training & Exports Growth:
- Over 49,800 individuals received high-end IT training in FY 2024-25, while 600,000+ were given general IT training.
- A nationwide lab upgrade initiative will modernize 1,300 labs, benefiting 146,367 students.
- Meeting with ACCA Delegation:
- PM Shehbaz emphasized aligning workforce skills with international standards during talks with ACCA CEO Helen Brand.
- ACCA reported 13,000 Pakistani members working globally, with 40,000 students pursuing membership.
Conclusion:
The government is aggressively pushing IT education and digital infrastructure development to position Pakistan as a competitive player in the global tech economy. By mandating IT from an early age, expanding training programs, and partnering with global tech firms like Huawei, the initiative aims to bridge the skills gap and boost IT exports. The focus on underdeveloped regions and international-standard training underscores a long-term vision for economic growth through digital transformation.
