Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a groundbreaking initiative to enhance healthcare, safety, and digital skill development for special children across the province — marking a historic step toward inclusive education and empowerment.
Chairing a high-level meeting on special education, the chief minister directed the launch of Punjab’s first-ever comprehensive health screening program for students enrolled in special education centers. Under the initiative, medical screenings will be carried out for over 35,600 special children, covering general health, eye and dental checkups, and assessments for other ailments.
According to official figures, more than 20,000 students will receive on-the-spot medical treatment, while 9,000 children will be referred to nearby health centers, tehsil headquarters, and district hospitals for specialized care. In addition, 5,000 students in major urban centers will be provided advanced treatment at top-tier hospitals.
The meeting was informed that a recent door-to-door admission campaign for special children had resulted in over 5,000 new enrollments across Punjab — a major achievement in expanding access to special education.
Under the CM Punjab Freelancer Program, the government has also introduced digital skills courses — including Graphic Design, YouTube Content Creation, Social Media Marketing, and E-Commerce — within special education institutions. Ten new computer labs have been approved, while eight existing ones are being upgraded with modern facilities. So far, 18 master trainers and 1,760 students have successfully completed training, and the top 50 performers will be awarded laptops for their outstanding results.
To strengthen student safety and institutional security, the Punjab government has approved the installation of 4,381 CCTV cameras across all special education centers.
In the first phase, 989 cameras will be installed in 142 centers located in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, and DG Khan divisions. The second phase — to be completed by May next year — will cover 158 centers in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Sahiwal divisions.
The surveillance network will be linked to a central monitoring room in Lahore for real-time oversight. Officials said the footage will not only enhance security but also be used to study student behavior patterns for therapeutic and educational improvements. By November 2025, 3,450 cameras are expected to be fully operational, ensuring the safety and well-being of thousands of special children across Punjab.
