Complaints have surfaced from several schools in Islamabad regarding the refurbished Chromebooks recently supplied for educational use. Many of the devices were reportedly non-functional, with some not turning on at all, prompting serious concerns about the quality of the equipment provided.
In response, the Ministry of Education has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all Chromebooks distributed under the program. As part of this initiative, school heads will be required to submit satisfaction certificates confirming the usability of the devices.
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Official Action and Quality Assurance
The directive was issued by Secretary of Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, via an official letter addressed to the Director General of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). The letter clearly states:
“This letter is aimed to ensure that all Chromebooks and chargers supplied to schools under the joint initiative of the FDE and National Book Foundation are thoroughly inspected for functionality before delivery.”
Background and Budget Constraints
Under the joint initiative between the Federal Directorate of Education and the National Book Foundation, a total of 12,500 refurbished Chromebooks were procured at a cost of Rs. 11,900 per unit through a competitive bidding process. Of these, 4,000 units have been delivered so far, with the remaining to follow soon.
The ministry explained that due to budget limitations, refurbished devices were chosen to maximize outreach and equip as many institutions as possible.
More Devices Coming Soon
Despite the setbacks, the FDE is now moving ahead with plans to acquire an additional 10,000 Chromebooks for schools across the capital. A new tender process is expected to be initiated within the coming days.
