Senate Makes Coding Compulsory in Pakistan Schools
Pakistan’s Senate approved a major education reform on Friday night, making computer science, coding and programming compulsory subjects for schoolchildren from elementary to high school level. The decision was taken during a Senate session presided over by Senator Sherry Rehman and is being viewed as a significant policy shift toward digital learning.
The upper house passed the Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill 2026, which amends the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012. Under the new provision, technology-related education will become a required part of the school curriculum rather than an optional or limited subject.
According to the amendment, students will now be expected to learn computer science and coding as part of their basic schooling. The move is intended to ensure that children across Pakistan are introduced to programming concepts, digital literacy and modern technical skills at an early stage.
Lawmakers described the reform as necessary for preparing students for the global job market and the fast-changing digital economy. They argued that basic literacy alone is no longer enough in a world where technology is shaping employment, business, public services and communication.
The amended law came into immediate effect after Senate approval, making implementation the next major challenge for education authorities. Schools will now need updated curricula, trained teachers, computer labs, learning material and wider access to digital infrastructure to turn the law into practical classroom learning.
The development comes as Pakistan continues to focus on technology exports, freelancing, startups and digital public services as part of its economic future. Making coding compulsory at school level could help create a stronger talent pipeline for the IT sector, provided the policy is supported by investment and teacher training.
During the same session, the Senate also approved the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council bill after a tied vote. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told lawmakers that the bill needed approval on Friday to prevent it from lapsing, while several senators had earlier suggested sending it to committee for further review.
The sitting also covered broader national issues, including unemployment, public university vacancies and financial pressure on Federal Urdu University. Lawmakers were informed that nearly 5.9 million people were unemployed during fiscal year 2024-25, while 23 out of 163 public universities were operating without permanent vice chancellors.
The coding bill’s real impact will depend on how quickly federal and provincial authorities coordinate implementation. If supported with training, funding and access to technology, the reform could reshape Pakistan’s education system and give millions of students stronger tools for future employment and innovation.