Federal government has procured one hundred thousand laptops under Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme IV at a total cost of sixteen point eight zero billion Pakistani rupees, the Senate was informed during a session on Thursday. Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar told lawmakers that the laptops were acquired through an open competitive bidding process conducted in accordance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules. She emphasized that the procurement process was carried out transparently and competitively while fully complying with the regulatory framework established for public sector purchases.
According to the minister, the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme continues to play an important role in supporting students and improving access to digital resources in higher education institutions across the country. She noted that the procurement of the devices was aimed at empowering students with modern technological tools to enhance their learning experience and academic productivity. The government has maintained that the scheme is designed to promote digital literacy and provide equal opportunities for students to benefit from modern educational technologies.
Wajiha Qamar also informed the Senate that the quota for Balochistan under the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme had been increased from fourteen percent to eighteen percent to ensure greater participation of students from the province. In addition, a dedicated five percent share has been allocated to distance learning institutions including Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University of Pakistan, with each institution receiving two point five percent of the total allocation. Officials believe that the increased representation of students from underserved regions and distance learning institutions will contribute to broader access to digital education tools.
Responding to additional questions during the session, the minister said that Federal Directorate of Education had advertised five hundred sixty five vacant teaching positions through Federal Public Service Commission for regular recruitment in educational institutions operating under the federal government. She added that the recruitment process is currently underway according to established procedures. Due to a significant increase in student enrollment and population growth in the federal capital, several institutions have introduced evening shifts to accommodate the rising number of students. A special package is also being provided to teachers assigned to evening classes, while local teachers have been engaged to support these shifts.
The minister further stated that twelve new educational institutions have been established in Islamabad and a formal request has been submitted to Ministry of Finance seeking approval for additional teacher posts. Addressing the issue of out of school children, she said the government has taken several initiatives to improve access to education within the federal capital. According to the Seventh Population Census, the number of out of school children across Pakistan currently stands at approximately twenty five point seven three million, highlighting the need for continued efforts to expand educational opportunities nationwide.
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