PM Shehbaz declares education emergency across country on Int’l Literacy Day

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared an education emergency across the country on Sunday — which is International Literacy Day — calling on the private sector and civil organisations to join hands with the government.

“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the education agenda, striving for a more informed and sustainable nation,” the prime minister wrote in a letter commemorating International Literacy Day.

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International Literacy Day is marked on September 8 to remind policymakers, practitioners, and the general public of the important role of literacy in fostering a more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.

According to Unesco, lack of access to education remains a serious obstacle, with three out of four children in poor countries unable to read or comprehend a simple text by the age of ten, and 754 million illiterate people worldwide, two-thirds of whom are women.

“For this purpose, we have declared an educational emergency across the country, launched an enrollment campaign for students, and initiated mid-day meals for children in schools,” he told reporters.

“Literacy is a fundamental human and constitutional right that guarantees the future of our country,” he stated, going on to define literacy as a “gateway to empowerment, economic opportunities, and active participation in society” rather than just the ability to read and write.

To lower dropout rates and encourage all children to complete their education, the prime minister stated that the government has implemented scholarships and other incentives.

“In this rapidly emerging world, developing literacy and skills in line with technology is inevitable,” the premier emphasized, adding that the government was implementing a comprehensive plan to integrate technology into the educational system and ensure that the youth were equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy.

He stated that the government’s efforts included equal participation from the commercial sector and civil society groups.

“By establishing effective partnerships, we can link education with employment and self-employment opportunities, creating a stronger and more inclusive workforce,” according to him.

Earlier in May, PM Shehbaz proclaimed an education emergency and promised to enroll over 26 million out-of-school children.

“Today, with iron commitment and the cooperation of provinces, we will face the problem of 26 million out-of-school children. We’ll bring them back to school.I proclaim an emergency in education in Pakistan.”The way we did it in Punjab, we will do it in Pakistan,” the prime minister stated during the National Conference on Education Emergency.

“I will personally supervise the programme and meet all the chief ministers, irrespective of their political affiliations, with a vision to march in unison, expressing the hope that the provinces too would extend their support,” said the prime minister.

The premier stated that Pakistan’s key issues included the enrollment of 26 million out-of-school children and stunted growth, both of which required significant financial resources.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that the government had established the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund to help low-income youngsters pursue higher education.

In a meeting with Oxford Union President Israr Khan Kakar at PM House, the prime minister said that a 20 percent quota will be set aside for Balochistan’s youth under the newly established fund.

The premier praised Kakar for winning the Oxford Union election in June, making him the third Pakistani and the first from Balochistan to occupy this distinguished post.

The Oxford Union, formed in 1823, is one of the oldest and most prestigious debating societies in the world.

PM Shehbaz expressed his hope that young people like himself will continue to make Pakistan proud.