The Punjab government has proposed an allocation of Rs. 750.1 billion for the education sector in the Budget 2026-27, making education one of the province’s largest spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman presented the budget in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday after receiving approval from the provincial cabinet.
Rs. 22 Billion Allocated for Honhaar Scholarship Program
According to the budget documents, the government has allocated:
🎓 Rs. 22 billion
for the Honhaar Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to students pursuing higher education.
Laptop Program Gets Rs. 15.69 Billion
The budget also proposes:
💻 Rs. 15.69 billion
for the Laptop Program, aimed at expanding students’ access to digital learning and technology resources.
Major Investment in STEAM Labs and Schools
To strengthen modern learning facilities, the Punjab government has earmarked:
🔬 Rs. 33 billion for STEAM Labs
and
🏫 Rs. 55 billion for the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).
Officials said the allocations are intended to improve learning opportunities and support educational initiatives across the province.
Funding for Colleges and IT Infrastructure
The budget also includes:
- 💻 Rs. 6.9 billion for IT labs in colleges
- 🏛️ Rs. 7.8 billion for new colleges, campuses, and sub-campuses
The allocations are expected to support infrastructure development and improve access to higher education in different regions of Punjab.
Education Remains a Key Budget Priority
The education spending forms part of Punjab’s proposed:
💰 Rs. 5.903 trillion Budget 2026-27
According to the budget speech, the overall provincial budget is:
📈 10.7% higher
than the current fiscal year’s budget.
Focus on Scholarships, Technology and Infrastructure
The proposed education allocation indicates continued government focus on:
- Student scholarships
- Digital learning initiatives
- School and college infrastructure
- Science and technology education
- Expanding access to higher education
The budget proposals will now be reviewed and debated in the Punjab Assembly before final approval and implementation for the fiscal year 2026-27.
