Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has inaugurated newly renovated science laboratories at IMCB F-8/4, Islamabad, under the Prime Minister’s Education Reforms Programme, as part of efforts to strengthen practical and STEM-based learning in Federal Directorate of Education institutions.
Under the first phase of the initiative, 30 science laboratories have been renovated, including 15 combined science labs, six physics labs, five chemistry labs and four biology labs. The facilities have been upgraded with modern scientific equipment, improved safety arrangements and activity-based workstations equipped with water, gas and electricity.
The project is aimed at promoting hands-on, inquiry-based and student-centred science education across FDE institutions.
60 More Science Labs Planned in Phase II
According to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, laboratory materials, chemicals, tools, apparatus and science kits have also been provided to science laboratories operating under the FDE.
Work on the second phase has already begun, covering the renovation of 60 additional science laboratories. The programme is giving particular attention to rural and girls’ institutions in an effort to improve equitable access to quality science education.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Federal Education Secretary Nadeem Mahbub said modern laboratories were important for strengthening practical learning and acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the ministry, FDE, Project Management Unit and educational institutions involved in the programme.
Dr Siddiqui said science education should go beyond textbooks and enable students to observe, experiment, investigate and discover.
He added that modern science learning should help students develop creativity, critical thinking, innovation and collaboration, skills increasingly important in a technology- and STEM-driven economy.
The laboratory upgrade is part of the broader Prime Minister’s Education Reforms Programme aimed at improving learning facilities and strengthening the quality of education in federal institutions.