ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday declared an ‘Education Emergency’ across the country to enroll around 26 million out-of-school children and promote literacy to make Pakistan regain its lost space and develop it as one of the most educated societies in the world.
Addressing the National Conference on Education Emergency, the prime minister said that today, with iron conviction and the support of provinces, we will handle the challenge of 26 million out-of-school children. We will bring them back to school. I declare from this moment an Emergency in Education all over the country.
Education Emergency Across Pakistan
PM Shehbaz told the gathering of federal ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, vice-chancellors, and development partners that he would personally supervise the programme and meet all the chief ministers with a vision to march in unison, expressing the hope that the provinces too would extend their support.
He said that this is about our children and our future. This is a very challenging task, no doubt. But countries which had faced difficulties and defeat in the past arose from the ashes of defeat. Germany and Japan are the examples. Why cannot Pakistan be? I guarantee, if we move united to find our space, Pakistan will emerge as one of the most educated countries one day.
PM Highlights His Punjab Government’s Educational Successes
The prime minister, recounting the achievements of the Punjab Government during his chief ministership, underlined the boosted enrollment rates, particularly for girls, through initiatives like the Zevar Taleem Programme, and rescuing ninety thousand boys from brick kilns to sending them to schools.
He also mentioned outsourcing of ten thousand poorly performing schools to improve education quality and established Daanish Schools which offered free high-standard education and boarding for underprivileged children.
PM Shehbaz said that the enrollment of 26 million out-of-school children and stunted growth were major challenges facing the country which required huge financial resources.
