ANTALYA  -  Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Saturday said that special attention is being given to the education sector in Punjab.

Addressing the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye, she said that Punjab is the largest province of Paki-stan, and reforms are underway to improve various sectors in the province. The chief minister said that schools in Punjab are being equipped with modern technology and that she is working as an ambassador for education. She emphasised that women’s development is among her top priorities and said that mothers and children suffering in Gaza should not be forgotten.

“Every child should enter school, stay in school and achieve success,” said CM Maryam. She proposed to form educational policy, teaching strategies and measures for promoting education with mutual cooperation. She added, “Vision of Friends of Education is to promote dignified diplomacy for the welfare of people, not the state.”

Madam Chief Minister invited top Turkish universities to establish campuses in Punjab, and said, “Turkish institutions should establish top centres for youth in Punjab.” She added, “Mutual partnership with Turkiye and exchange program will lay the foundation for a bright future.” She highlighted, We want a future that not only Pakistan but also the future generations of Turkiye could be proud of.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “collectively, we can do anything that seems difficult individual-ly.” She added that convening the Anatolian Diplomacy Forum under the leadership of the Turkish First La-dy is a welcome development. She underscored that the Anatolian Diplomacy Forum is a successful model of women’s leadership. Together, we can solve all problems, she added.

CM Maryam also noted that success stories echo in other countries too. “I am serving as a female Chief Minister in Pakistan’s largest province.” She said, “Revolutionary reforms are the foundation of our educa-tion policy.” She added, Education, justice, dignity and equal opportunities for women and children are our top priority.” He also said that she wanted a unique style of governance in Punjab that is effective in every way.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that social injustices deprive children of the right to explore their full potential.” She added that education is not just a department but an expression of hope. “We started the reforms from schools. Three-time Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and three-time Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif laid a solid foundation for development and reforms in Punjab.”

The brilliant achievements of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the fields of education, health, infrastructure and social development are a beacon of light for me.” She added that as the Chief Minister, she was not only faced with the improvement of buildings in educational institutions, but also with the challenge of changing the traditional thinking.” She remarked, “The changing technology and education demand effective educational reforms. By the grace of Allah Almighty, school education reforms have begun in Punjab in a historic way.  The aim of educational reforms in Punjab is not only literacy but also the learning freedom and a bright future.” She highlighted, “I am directly supervising the educational reforms to make them effective. More than 4,000 primary schools across the province are being upgraded to elementary level. The aim of elementary upgradation of primary schools is the continuation of children’s education after the fifth grade.

Maryam Nawaz said that digital learning rooms are being set up in 6,000 schools to combine technology and education. The time of blackboard, chalk and duster is over, now Punjab students will learn science and technology through digital screens.” I consider myself not only the Chief Minister of Punjab but also the ambassador of education, she said. I think of myself as a mother of every student of Punjab especially for the girls’ education. My mission is to eradicate poverty, No child should be left behind due to gender, backward areas or social barriers.

The chief minister noted that school nutrition program is successfully underway to address malnutrition in students especially girls in remote and under-served districts of Punjab.” She said, “Girl students are most affected by the problem of malnutrition. It gives me pleasure that malnourished children in Punjab schools are receiving milk packs daily.” She added, “Reforms in education are not limited to just curriculum or teaching materials, but the qualifications of the teacher are also important. After years, regular recruitment of teachers is being started in Punjab. 30,000 new teachers are being recruited in Punjab purely on merit basis and with complete transparency.”

She said that daughters are not just students but also future leaders, scientists and builders of the nation.

Education can give us strength, pride, hope and the foundation of a bright future. Education is the greatest force that establishes social equality,” she added.

Turkiye has provided a valuable opportunity to think about children’s education. Turkish First Lady Eiman Erdogan is convinced about children through dignified diplomacy.” She vowed,” The people of Punjab and I reiterate our moral support for children and women in difficulty. We will be the voice of the helpless classes in the halls of power and on the streets. Anatolia Diplomacy Forum is not just carrying the burden of per-formance but also the weight of history.”