Country's future linked with IT: government implementing programme for promotion: chief minister Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that future of country is linked with information technology and Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for its promotion in the province.
He said that foundation of a revolution in education sector has been laid by establishing modern IT labs in more than 4,000 high schools of the province at a cost of Rs 5 billion and the students are benefiting from these IT labs and are getting knowledge about new inventions.
Chief Minister said that computer education should be imparted to the students of first and second classes in those high schools where primary classes already exist so that they could get knowledge of information technology at initial level. He was presiding over a meeting held to review the performance of IT labs in the province, here on Friday.
Shahbaz said that equipping the young generation with modern knowledge is the need of the hour for putting the country on the road to progress. He said that IT labs have been set up with the co-operation of reputed international companies associated in all high schools for this purpose where internet and other related facilities have been provided. He said that like high schools, modern IT labs are also being set up in Daanish Schools and smart boards have been provided in these labs. He said that a comprehensive system should be evolved for monitoring of IT labs and it should be ensured that computer and inter-net should be in proper working condition for the benefit of students.
He said that there should be no affect on IT labs due to load shedding in backward and far flung areas during energy crisis in the country and a report should be submitted to him after considering expenses and other matters with regard to installation of solar panels in the schools for this purpose.
He said that meeting of all IT companies associated with computer labs project be held and the companies showing best performance be encouraged and the firms showing poor performance be warned to immediately improve their performance. He said that education department will have to show its sense of responsibility for keeping a vigilant eye on the performance of IT labs. He directed Chairman Chief Minister's Inspection Team to conduct a survey of IT labs in the province and a detailed questionnaire be prepared for this survey in which information about attendance of teachers, their performance, internet and all other facilities should be obtained.
He said that Education Minister should also convene meetings twice a month in various divisions to review performance of IT labs whereas he himself would preside over the third meeting in this regard. He said that students of high schools showing outstanding performance in IT sector will be awarded Chief Minister's merit certificate.