Coding, Computer Science Now Compulsory Subjects in Pakistani Schools
May 17, 2026The Senate of Pakistan on Friday passed the Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill 2026, making computer science and coding mandatory subjects in schools from elementary to high school level.
The bill was presented during a Senate session chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman and aims to modernize Pakistan’s education system by integrating digital literacy and programming skills into the national curriculum.
Under the amendment to the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012, programming and computer education will now become compulsory subjects across schools.
Lawmakers said the move would help prepare students for the global job market and address the growing importance of technology in modern economies. The amended law came into immediate effect following Senate approval.
During the session, the Senate also passed the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council bill after a tied 13-13 vote. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal warned lawmakers that the legislation would lapse if not approved on Friday.
Several senators, including Sherry Rehman, had proposed sending the bill to a committee for further review. However, the presiding officer cast the deciding vote in favor of the legislation after the tie.
Lawmakers were also informed that around 5.9 million people remained unemployed in Pakistan during fiscal year 2024-25, according to the Pakistan Labor Force Survey 2024-25. The Senate was told the unemployment rate had exceeded 7%.
The upper house granted 12 standing committees an additional 60 days to submit pending reports after several committees failed to meet deadlines.
Separately, senators discussed the ongoing financial crisis facing Federal Urdu University. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said staff salaries continued to be paid despite the university’s economic difficulties.