ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced an ‘Education Emergency’ nationwide in Pakistan on Wednesday, aiming to enroll approximately 26 million out-of-school children and advance literacy rates to position the country as one of the most educated societies globally.
Speaking at the National Conference on Education Emergency, he emphasized the need for collective action, stating, “Today, with firm resolve and provincial support, we will address the challenge of 26 million out-of-school children.
I hereby declare a state of Education Emergency across Pakistan… We will replicate the successful strategies implemented in Punjab on a national scale.”
Addressing a diverse audience including federal ministers, parliamentarians, vice-chancellors, diplomats, and development partners, the Prime Minister pledged personal oversight of the initiative, transcending political divides, and urged provincial cooperation.
Highlighting the transformative efforts undertaken during his tenure in Punjab, he underscored initiatives such as the Zevar Taleem Programme to boost enrollment, rescue of children from brick kilns for education, outsourcing of underperforming schools, and establishment of Daanish Schools providing free quality education and boarding for underprivileged children.
Recognizing the financial challenges posed by enrolling 26 million out-of-school children and addressing stunted growth, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of determination, drawing parallels with past national endeavors such as achieving nuclear status and combating terrorism.
Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, echoed the urgency for immediate action in the education sector, emphasizing the grim statistics of out-of-school children and illiteracy rates.
International representatives, including Unicef, the British High Commission, the World Food Programme, and the World Bank, offered support and highlighted the intertwined nature of education with various developmental aspects such as food security, climate resilience, and societal progress.
Notable figures like Naila Kiani, Pakistan’s fastest mountaineer, emphasized the transformative power of education and self-belief.
