The US administration has assured Pakistan its full unconditional support and assistance for the uplift of basic education. US accords top priority to the education sector in Pakistan and would continue its supports in future as well, outgoing US Ambassador to Pakistan Nancy J. Powel said, while addressing a renovation ceremony of a community model school at Nirola in the outskirts of Islamabad here on Tuesday.
Federal Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi was also present on the occasion.
Expressing her complete satisfaction over the government's efforts, Nancy said that much had been done by the Pakistani authorities for the uplift of basic education in the country, especially in the far-flung areas that were neglected in the past.
She also lauded the government's efforts and strategy to eliminate illiteracy and promote quality education in the country. The outgoing envoy assured that she would urge the US Congress and the administration for more technical and financial support to Pakistan's education sector.
The teacher-turned-diplomat praised the efforts of the former education minister Zobaida Jalal and said that the education sector is the most advantaged social sector due to selfless efforts of Zobaida.
Federal Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi vowed that the government would always facilitate the communities interested in establishing schools in their localities.
He lamented that the government could not absolve itself of its primary and constitutional obligation of providing basic education to the citizens of Pakistan.
Qazi pledged to enhance the capacity of the officials and the sections of the Education Ministry for the promotion of education and eradication of illiteracy in the country.
Later, talking to journalists, Qazi hoped that change in the US government would not affect the existing bilateral education co-operation between the two countries.
To a question, he made it clear that Pakistan, being a sovereign country, was free to devise its own policies without any dictation.
He told that there were a few Madaris on the borders of the country who were involved in terrorism and would soon be curbed.
The minister also said that the establishment of a Monitoring and Evaluation Cell in the ministry would help in achieving the task to streamline the functioning of various organs of the Education Ministry for swift delivery of the service.
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