IN today’s world, only those nations thrive that know how to harness technology and use it for the development and nurturing of students at an early age.

Recently, a group comprising director of education, principal, section heads and teachers of three schools visited two public-sector institutions; the Islamabad College for Girls, F-6/2, and the Islamabad Model College for Girls G-9/3.

As part of the delegation, it came as a pleasant surprise to see technology in its most modern form in the hands of public-sector students.

Similarly, from artificial intelligence (AI) coding, robotics, e-rozgar, smart-board-based classes, library, science laboratories and computer lab to art room, home economics sessions and sick-room, there was much that surprised the team. We felt as if we had landed in a different world.

Two very confident girls of class XI recorded our interview for their podcast. Then class VII girls with their ongoing projects of robotics explained the phen-omenon behind their working.

Two girls from class VI in the e-rozgar auditorium explained how much beneficial it was for them and for the girls of the community to learn, start entrepreneu-rship, and earn a living by connecting with the world.

The hall looked so impressive with a proper conference room lined with work stations, etc. At the Islamabad Model School, there was even an art gallery which earlier used to be a place to store junk.

We returned with lots of ideas to rep-licate in our system. If the government cont-inues to invest in education at a broader level, public institutions would earn a lot of credibility, and the students would be better able to compete with the world.

Syed Farhan Basit
Risalpur

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2024