Latest news with #DaanishSchool
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM vows to transform Daanish schools, varsity into digital learning hubs
ISLAMABAD: In a bold push to revolutionise education for underprivileged youth, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed to transform Daanish Schools and the upcoming Daanish University into beacons of modern, world-class learning – powered by digital classrooms, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering merit. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the status of Daanish Schools and the planned university, Sharif called for accelerated construction in underserved regions, while stressing the importance of transparency in recruitment and improved remuneration packages for teachers. 'Providing international standard education and training to the nation's children is my foremost responsibility,' Sharif said, urging that the new Daanish Schools in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan be fast-tracked. He emphasised that the university should focus on delivering education in modern sciences aligned with global benchmarks. Sharif praised the success of the initiative, originally launched in Punjab, stating that 'by the grace of Allah, the seed planted in Punjab has now grown into a strong tree,' adding that hundreds of students from low- and middle-income backgrounds had gone on to succeed globally. 'The dream of serving economically disadvantaged children through Daanish Schools is becoming a reality,' he said. 'Thousands of children across the country will benefit, and I will always strive to provide equal opportunities for quality education and training to every class.' In a briefing to the prime minister, the officials said that construction of the Daanish School in Kurri, Islamabad, is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by year-end. In Gilgit-Baltistan, schools in Sultanabad, Ghanche, and Astore are under construction and scheduled for completion next year. New projects in Bagh and Bhimber in Azad Kashmir have begun, while work on a school in Sharda, Neelum, will commence soon following PC-1 approval. PC-1 has also been approved for schools in Sibi, Musakhel, Zhob, QilaSaifullah, and DeraBugti in Balochistan, with a feasibility study underway for Hub. Land has been identified for schools in Chitral, Karachi, and Tando Muhammad Khan, while preliminary work is ongoing for proposed schools in Abbottabad and Waziristan, as well as a university in Rajanpur. Regarding the Daanish Schools University, the meeting was informed that a techno-feasibility study will be completed by the end of July. Of 12 international firms, seven have met the criteria for master planning, design, and construction, with the procurement process nearing finalisation. Details regarding academic programmes, admissions, and support facilities are also being developed. Sharif directed that the university's infrastructure remain simple and cost-effective, with significant investment channelled into modern software, digital learning tools, advanced laboratories, and emerging technologies. The Daanish Schools system, established to provide quality education to underprivileged children, is being expanded nationwide as part of the government's broader goal of bridging the educational divide. The meeting was attended by federal ministers AhsanIqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Cheema, and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, and other senior officials. Chief secretaries and representatives from all four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, joined via video link. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Daanish Schools: CDWP approves six projects worth Rs19.253bn
ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved six development projects related to Daanish Schools at cost of Rs19.253 billion. The CDWP met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal in the chair at P-Block Secretariat on Thursday. The projects were presented by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and were cleared at the CDWP level. The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Economist, Vice Chancellor PIDE, members of the Planning Commission, federal secretaries, heads of provincial Planning and Development departments, and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments. The approved projects include: (1) Establishment of Danish Schools at District Kan Mehtarzai, Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan at cost of Rs2.93 billion; (2) Establishment of Danish Schools at District Sibi, Balochistan at cost of Rs3.352 billion; (3) Establishment of Daanish School at Azad Jammu and Kashmir worth Rs3.043 billion; (4) Establishment of Daanish School at Baiker, District Dera Bugti, Balochistan valued atRs2.666 billion; (5) Establishment of Daanish School at District Musakhel, Balochistan worth Rs3.631 billion, and (6) Establishment of Danish Schools at District Zhob, Balochistan worth Rs3.632 billion. All six projects are based on a 50:50 cost-sharing formula between the federal government and the respective provincial governments. In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's initiative to provide a high-quality education system across the country, the Punjab government had earlier established a wide network of Daanish Schools, the largest system of free boarding schools for boys and girls in Pakistan. Now, other provinces are also taking steps to replicate this model to support talented students from underprivileged backgrounds. The federal government also plans to establish new Daanish Schools in underserved districts. For this purpose, land has been proposed and detailed visits will be conducted during the feasibility stage. These schools will move beyond traditional rote learning methods and promote 21st Century education models by integrating technology to improve delivery and track student progress. The core objective of the project is to set up fully functional boarding schools with staff residential facilities, equipped with modern education systems. These institutions will serve both boys and girls from Grade 6 to 12. Each school is envisioned as a model institution that combines advanced learning technologies with traditional values, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, all within a safe and inspiring learning environment. While reviewing the proposals, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that more than 25 million children in Pakistan are currently out of school, which is a serious national concern. He stressed that raising the literacy rate to 90 percent is essential for the country's development. He reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to invest in education and support the provinces in building modern, quality institutions such as Daanish Schools under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
