'Jazz Smart school' programme launched

Jazz Foundation in partnership with the Capital Administration & Development Division (CADD) and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on Monday launched 'Jazz Smart School' programme to introduce smart learning solution to the traditional schooling system through a digital learning platform. Jazz announced to use innovation in imparting education to 75 schools in the federal capital under its 'Jazz Smart School' programme to support the government's vision 2025. The programme would help impart education to around 20000 students, besides training 430 teachers through latest technologies.
To enhance teaching skills, the programme offers training videos, a customized teacher training programme and support of an online community. Built-in performance dashboards increase accountability as parents and relevant stakeholders can monitor progress of schools, teachers and students on a daily basis through mobile applications.
To implement this digital learning solution, the Telco has teamed up with Knowledge Platform; a Singapore based learning solutions company. Knowledge Platform provides the programme with the digital learning, customized educational content, training and support, while the Jazz Foundation has set up digital learning centers with hardware kits that include laptops, projectors, clickers, tablets, speakers, UPS and mobile broadband.
Addressing at the launching ceremony, State Minister for CADD, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the Constitution mandates the state to provide education to every Pakistani child between the ages of 5-16 years. The government understands challenges and is trying to achieve the goals.
The minister said under the "Prime Minister Educational Reforms Programme," several reforms have been introduced in educational institutions of the federal capital. Construction work is in final phases in 200 schools, while PC-1 has been submitted with the Planning Commission for the remaining 200 educational institutions. The minister further said that in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the computers laboratories equipped with computers have been established in 260 schools of Islamabad.
The 'Jazz Smart School' programme's educational content includes digital textbooks, videos, practice material, interactive games, and assessment and classroom activities.
Ali Naseer, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Jazz stated 35 percent of Pakistan's population is under the age of 14, and the company realises that if efforts are not made to improve access to quality education, the country will lag behind in an increasingly digital world.
Country Manager Knowledge Platform Talhah Munir Khan said educating the youth is a major responsibility we should all take seriously. Knowledge Platform provides quality learning solutions in a bid to modernize and improve how Pakistani students learn. To be successful in this endeavor, we all need to collaborate across public, private and non-governmental sectors.
FDE Director General Hasnat Qureshi said the Federal Directorate of Education is committed to ensure that innovative learning methods are incorporated in public schools to ensure that youth, especially young women, can compete with students at international level.