The federal government has directed all private school and college students in Islamabad, from Class 9 onward, to enroll in mandatory digital safety and artificial intelligence courses as part of a new national skills initiative. The move, announced by Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, seeks to prepare students for an increasingly technology driven academic and professional environment by strengthening their understanding of modern artificial intelligence tools and cybersecurity fundamentals.
According to the directive issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority, all eligible students in the Islamabad Capital Territory are required to activate their training accounts through the official government skills portal no later than March 8, 2026. The instruction applies to private institutions and covers students beginning from the ninth grade and above. Authorities have described the measure as a structured effort to embed digital literacy and online safety awareness within the formal education system, particularly at a stage where students begin to engage more actively with digital platforms for learning and communication.
While account registration and enrollment are to be completed immediately, the Ministry has allowed flexibility regarding completion of coursework. Students will be permitted to undertake and finish the assigned modules during their summer vacations or after the conclusion of their final examinations. Officials said this approach is intended to ensure that academic schedules remain undisturbed while still meeting the broader objective of expanding digital capacity at the school level. The curriculum is expected to cover essential areas including responsible online behaviour, data protection, emerging risks in cyberspace, and foundational understanding of artificial intelligence applications that are increasingly shaping workplaces and higher education pathways.
School administrations have been instructed to facilitate the enrollment process on an urgent basis and to ensure that all eligible students are registered within the stipulated timeline. The initiative builds on earlier steps taken by the government to introduce cybersecurity awareness among educators and institutional staff, signalling a broader push toward strengthening digital governance within the education sector. By mandating structured training in digital safety and artificial intelligence, the government aims to cultivate a generation of students equipped to navigate technological systems responsibly while contributing to Pakistan’s evolving digital economy.
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