Islamabad: Half a million Grade 9 students across Pakistan will receive Chromebooks under the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Project, aimed at expanding access to digital learning and improving digital literacy among young learners.
The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) has been entrusted with the implementation of the project. Under the two-year plan, 250,000 Chromebooks will be distributed during 2026-27, while another 250,000 devices will be provided during 2027-28, taking the total number to 500,000.
The project was reviewed at a meeting chaired by IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah. The meeting discussed the implementation plan, proposed eligibility criteria, provincial allocations, distribution arrangements and measures to ensure transparency and equitable access.
According to the proposed criteria, eligible Grade 9 students enrolled in public schools, foundation schools and registered madrasas across the country will be covered under the scheme. Seventy per cent of the total devices are proposed for science students and 30 per cent for arts students.
Provincial allocations will be made in accordance with the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award distribution formula.
To identify and verify eligible students, the IBCC has sought data from the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs). A separate meeting of board focal persons was also convened to improve coordination, speed up data collection and prepare for smooth implementation of the project.
The review meeting placed special emphasis on ensuring that the Chromebooks reach eligible beneficiaries through a transparent and verifiable process. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation mechanism was also discussed to verify student records, track distribution and assess the effectiveness of the initiative.
The Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Project seeks to bridge the digital divide by providing students with modern learning tools and creating new educational opportunities across Pakistan.
