Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a special meeting on school education on Thursday, approving major reforms aimed at improving government schools across the province.

Under the Modern Punjab Vision, the government launched a mission to make public schools outperform private institutions.

Decisions announced included introducing a teachers’ dress code, installing CCTV cameras, and implementing distance learning in government schools.

The initiative also seeks to designate schools as “safe and clean zones,” with the Suthra Punjab Program enlisted to maintain cleanliness.

The fourth phase of outsourcing under the Punjab Public School Reorganisation Program was approved, following a record enrolment increase of more than 800 per cent after previous outsourcing phases.

Briefings revealed that over 9,000 classrooms have been constructed or renovated, more than 160,000 new furniture sets supplied, and 866 new classrooms added in 540 schools. Thousands of toilets and water coolers were also installed.

For the first time, an online paper-checking system and a new examination grading system will be introduced, with exams starting on March 15 and results scheduled for March 31.

English-speaking classes are ongoing in 344 schools, with a target to reach 500,000 students.

A total of 140 Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence are expected to be functional by March, and the School Mail Program has been launched for more than 1.1 million students across 13 districts.

Chief Minister Nawaz said, “It is my responsibility to provide quality education and a confident future to every child.”