At the British Educational Training and Technology Show (BETT UK 2025), Google for Education and its local partner Tech Valley signed an agreement with the Punjab Government, including the Punjab School Education Department and the Punjab Education Foundation, to transform the province’s primary and secondary schools by introducing AI interventions into the education system.
This partnership builds on Google for Education’s successful collaboration with Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Education, where Chromebooks were introduced to enhance the quality of public education. Punjab is now the focal point for Google’s latest initiatives in Pakistan. Minister of Education for Punjab, Rana Sikander Hayat, highlighted the significance of the partnership, emphasizing the commitment to leveraging technology for positive social impact, as part of the agreement, 200,000 students will receive Digital IDs powered by Gemini, ensuring access to essential learning tools and enriching their educational experience.
“By equipping students and educators with world-class digital tools and data-driven insights, we aim to empower future generations in Punjab and beyond.”
Tech Valley, the local partner, will also provide an internet safety program, Digital Safar, to help ensure students have a secure online learning experience. CEO Umar Farooq expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that Tech Valley, together with Google’s Adoption team, would ensure effective deployment of tools and teacher training. The core of the transformation will be Google for Education’s suite of tools, including Google Workspace for Education, Chrome Education Upgrade, and Google Cloud Platform services, which will help foster collaborative platforms and data-driven decision-making. Farhan Qureshi, Country Director of Google Pakistan, emphasized the aim of unlocking opportunities for personalized learning with AI and empowering future generations.
The initiative will also provide Google for Education certification to 50,000 teachers in Punjab, with a focus on developing a community of master trainers to guide others. Shahid Farid, Managing Director of the Punjab Education Foundation, stressed the importance of digital transformation, saying it will improve access to quality education for all students in the province. As part of the agreement, 200,000 Chromebooks will be distributed to schools across Punjab, helping to create smart labs that foster collaboration and digital learning. These smart labs will also serve as training centers for teachers. The Chromebooks will be assembled locally by NRTC and Allied Australia.
A key focus of the partnership is addressing the issue of Out-of-School Children (OOSC). Google for Education will provide Digital IDs to OOSC children at no cost, complementing government efforts to bring quality education to underserved communities. A pilot program will establish Chromebook Access Hubs in areas lacking adequate infrastructure, enhancing educational opportunities for marginalized students. This agreement aims to equip both students and teachers with the tools needed to succeed in the digital age, reinforcing Google for Education and the Punjab Government’s commitment to providing equal access to quality education for all. By introducing these digital tools, the collaboration marks a significant step in the educational transformation of Punjab and sets a precedent for future initiatives across Pakistan.
