ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the critical need for quality education and technical training in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of skills development, information technology, and digitalization within modern educational frameworks.
During a pivotal review meeting on the Federal Ministry of Education and Technical Training, he asserted that no nation can thrive without a robust education system and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child has access to schooling.
Highlighting the urgency of educational reform, PM Shehbaz noted that an educational emergency was declared upon his administration’s arrival, prioritizing improvements across the sector. He called for a national curriculum leadership conference to establish a uniform education system nationwide.
The Prime Minister also directed the expedited construction of Daanish Schools in underserved regions, including Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Balochistan. He proposed the establishment of day-care centres in educational institutions in Islamabad to support female teachers and advocated for the creation of e-libraries in public parks, ensuring free internet access.
To boost female student enrolment, Shehbaz suggested monthly stipends for girls in rural areas and the incorporation of technical training into school curricula. He stressed the importance of re-engaging school dropouts through awareness campaigns and free technical training programmes.
Emphasising teacher quality, the Prime Minister called for a premier teacher training institution in Islamabad and proposed a third-party audit to evaluate teaching standards. He insisted on transparency and merit in teacher recruitment, warning against any negligence.
During the meeting, concerns were raised about school buses provided in 2017 that have been out of service for years, prompting the Prime Minister to order an inquiry. The Federal Ministry of Education also shared updates on initiatives, including a school lunch program in Islamabad that has successfully increased enrolment.
News published in the Express Tribune on 12th October 2024
