LAHORE: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced the launch of the Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence at the divisional level, describing the initiative as a major step towards providing world-class, free education to children across the province.
In a video statement, the minister expressed gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for introducing the project, saying it reflects the provincial government’s commitment to improving the quality of public education. He added that the Schools of Eminence have officially begun operations at the divisional level and are expected to transform the education sector by offering modern learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds.
Rana Sikandar Hayat said the chief minister set a positive example by inviting a child to inaugurate one of the schools, calling it a symbolic gesture that highlights the government’s child-centered approach to education. He maintained that the project fulfills the government’s promise of delivering high-quality education free of cost.
The education minister said the Schools of Eminence are being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, allowing the government to establish high-standard educational institutions without placing an additional financial burden on the public treasury. According to him, constructing and operating such schools entirely through government funding would have required billions of rupees.
He said the schools have been equipped with facilities that meet international educational standards. These include smart and student-friendly classrooms, robotics laboratories, science and computer labs, as well as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) laboratories designed to prepare students for future academic and professional challenges.
Rana Sikandar Hayat revealed that, on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, 300 Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence have already been established across Punjab. He added that the project will continue to expand in phases, with more schools planned in different districts over the coming years.
The minister said the initiative aims to provide equal educational opportunities to children regardless of their economic background. Students from affluent and low-income families will study together under one roof while benefiting from the same high-quality teaching standards, modern infrastructure, and advanced learning facilities.
He further stated that the Schools of Eminence will be staffed by highly qualified teachers and supported by contemporary educational resources to improve academic performance and student development.
Highlighting the public response, Rana Sikandar Hayat said the large number of students appearing in the entrance tests demonstrates that parents are regaining confidence in government-run educational institutions. He added that the overwhelming interest reflects growing trust in the province’s education reforms.
The education minister also claimed that the success of the Schools of Eminence has attracted significant attention from the private education sector. He said the government plans to gradually establish a province-wide network of these institutions, with the long-term goal of providing free, quality education to 500,000 to one million students annually. As the project expands, he said, it is expected to play a key role in improving educational standards and increasing access to modern learning across Punjab.
