# Punjab cuts school textbooks by 25% in new curriculum, QR video lessons in every book

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/education/punjab-cuts-school-textbooks-by-25percent-in-new-curriculum-qr-video-lessons-in)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 24 Sept 2026
Updated: 25 Sept 2026
Retrieved: 30 Sept 2026

> Maryam Nawaz has approved a new curriculum for Punjab's government schools. What changes for your child, when the new books arrive and what not to buy yet.

**Punjab has approved a new curriculum for its government schools that cuts the textbook load by 25%.** Chief Minister **Maryam Nawaz Sharif** signed it off at a special education reform meeting in Lahore on 24 September 2026. The new books cover **English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Urdu and Early Childhood Education**, and every one will carry a **QR code** that opens a video lesson on the topic.

## What changes in your child's school bag

| Change | Detail |
|---|---|
| Textbook burden | cut by **25%** |
| Subjects in the new curriculum | English, Maths, Social Studies, Urdu, Early Childhood Education |
| Video lessons | QR code in every textbook |
| AI lessons | ordered for **Class 1 to Class 12**, with AI labs in schools |
| Printing deadline | new books to be printed **before March** |

The curriculum was prepared by the **Punjab Education Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA)**, Dunya News and ProPakistani reported. The March printing deadline points to the new books reaching classrooms for the 2027 session, not this year. For now, children keep studying from the books they already have.

## For parents: what to do now

- **Do not buy new books yet.** The approved books are still to be printed. Anything sold as the "new syllabus" before PECTAA releases it is a guess.
- **Keep a phone handy for homework.** The QR codes need a smartphone and data to play the video lessons. If your child shares your phone, a light data bundle will do.
- **Watch for the official release.** New textbooks and syllabus files are published by the Punjab curriculum authority, not by private publishers or WhatsApp groups.

## Teachers: one day a week for training

The meeting also approved changes for teachers:

- **Mental health training** for teachers, a first for Punjab.
- **One day a week** set aside for teacher training across the province, with textbook authors running the sessions. ProPakistani reported that Saturdays have been designated for this.
- English training has been completed for **35,000 teachers** in **31 tehsils of 12 districts**.

## Ending physical punishment

There was consensus on legislation to end corporal punishment in schools. In its place, the plan proposes **"discipline corners"** in classrooms. The meeting also discussed **online counselling** for students and a visiting psychologist in every district. These are proposals for now; a law has to pass the Punjab Assembly before the ban on physical punishment is enforceable.

## Why it matters

Punjab's public schools teach millions of children, and heavy school bags have long been a complaint from parents in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and smaller towns alike. A 25% cut in the book load and free video lessons could ease both the weight and the tuition bill, if the books arrive on time.

Planning ahead for school costs? Our [age calculator](/tools/government/age-calculator) tells you whether your child meets the admission age cut-off, and our education guides cover board results and admissions, including the [BISE Lahore result guide](/guides/government/bise-lahore-result-check).

## Frequently asked questions

**When will the new Punjab textbooks be available?**

The Punjab government has set a deadline to finish printing the new books before March 2027. Until then, students continue with their current books.

**Which subjects are in Punjab's new curriculum?**

English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Urdu and Early Childhood Education, with AI lessons ordered from Class 1 to Class 12.

## Sources

- Punjab approves new curriculum for govt schools, cuts textbook burden by 25pc (24 Sep 2026) (Dunya News): https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/974429-punjab-approves-new-curriculum-for-govt-schools-cuts-textbook-burden-
- Punjab Approves New School Syllabus With 25% Reduction in Books (24 Sep 2026) (ProPakistani): https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/24/punjab-approves-new-school-syllabus-with-25-reduction-in-books/
- Punjab approves new curriculum for govt schools, cuts textbook burden by 25pc (24 Sep 2026) (The Nation): https://www.nation.com.pk/24-Sep-2026/punjab-approves-new-curriculum-govt-schools-cuts-textbook-burden-25pc

How to cite: "Punjab cuts school textbooks by 25% in new curriculum, QR video lessons in every book", Searchable, 25 Sept 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/education/punjab-cuts-school-textbooks-by-25percent-in-new-curriculum-qr-video-lessons-in