Strict action ordered against corporal punishment in Islamabad schools

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has issued a circular warning of strict action against corporal punishment in educational institutions across the capital, ARY News reported.

According to the notification, copies of the circular have been sent to heads of all schools and colleges in Islamabad. The directive was issued after reports of corporal punishment in boys’ schools surfaced.

The FDE emphasized that corporal punishment in any form is strictly prohibited for students. It instructed all institutions to immediately establish action committees to address such complaints.

The order further clarified that corporal punishment is banned in government, private, religious, and childcare institutions alike. Violations will lead to stern legal action and fines, the circular warned.

Also Read: Govt decides to introduce AI in schools’ curriculum

Earlier, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be introduced in the curriculum of schools.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the transformation of Islamabad into a pilot smart city under an integrated strategy using emerging technologies.

In a statement, the minister outlined several key initiatives of the Ministry of IT aimed at expanding digital connectivity and improving access to education and healthcare through technology.

She revealed that the Ministry has already funded fiber optic connectivity to all public schools, Basic Health Units (BHUs), and healthcare centers in Islamabad. “Within the next six to eight months, all hospitals, schools, and police stations in the capital will be fully fiberized,” she stated.

Free public Wi-Fi will also be made available at specific locations, including metro bus stations and other public spaces, through public-private partnerships, she added.

The minister said that the Ministry of Education was fully cooperating in the digital transformation drive. Remote regions will benefit from EdTech (Education Technology) solutions to ensure learning continuity, she added.