EU pledges to promote quality education in Pakistan: Ambassador

ISLAMABAD: European Union is committed to promote all-inclusive quality education and increase the literacy rate in Pakistan as it was basic right for every child, said Ambassador of the European Union,  Jean-François Cautain while addressing a ceremony to mark Universal Children’s Day.

The ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries from the EU delegation to Pakistan, Shahid Pervaiz Qazi, Secretary, School Education and Literacy Department and other representatives from the government was held to award prizes to the winners of European Union School Art Competition 2018, a press release issued here on Monday said .

The competition is in its third edition and was jointly organised by the department of School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh with support from the European Union on the topic of child rights, especially those related to Education and Nutrition, with an aim to provide an outlet for children to express themselves through art and to enhance their artistic capabilities.

Over 500 students from 50 public schools in Karachi participated in the competition. A jury of art teachers from the Indus Valley School of Art selected the first 10 artworks who were given prizes and certificates in recognition of their work and talent expressed in the drawings.

Addressing the audience, Ambassador Cautain said, “child protection is one of the EU’s priorities outlined in the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy. We appreciate the continuous efforts of the Government of Pakistan to ensure children rights, but currently Pakistan is facing many challenges in this area. With more than 44% of Pakistani children suffering from chronic malnutrition due to poverty, poor health services, illness and improper feeding practices, child mortality remains high."

The European Union is a strong proponent of education as a basic human right and it is supporting the government of Pakistan at the national and provincial levels to build the capacity of teachers, and enhance facilities in all educational institutes, in order to ensure free basic education for all citizens. Education is an indispensable component of human development and a basic right of every child. It enriches their understanding and enhances their capabilities for exploring new ideas to improve the quality of their lives which leads to broad social benefits for individuals and the society. It is considered to have a strong correlation with the social and economic development of a country. No country can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in human capital.