'Rs 21 billion earmarked to raise literacy rate in Punjab'

The Punjab government has earmarked an amount of Rs 21 billion to raise literacy rate in the province within next three years for improving educational infrastructure ie repair and renovation of dilapidated buildings of schools and colleges throughout the province.
This was stated by former provincial minister and MPA Shaheen Attique ur Rehman, while addressing a seminar as chief guest at TMA Hall, which was presided over by district co-ordination officer Athar Hussain Khan Sial on Sunday.
She said that the education was becoming one of the defining enterprises of the 21st century with the emergence of globalisation and increasing global competition.
She mentioned that lack of resources is main problem, hence Pakistan needs a pool of high quality human capital capable of innovation, forward thinking and professional quality management.
The quality education system was very important to ensure an adequate supply of qualified and well-trained manpower to augment the process of economic development, she added.
She said that the whole education system - from pre-school till tertiary level is being reviewed properly and restructured in Punjab for meeting the workforce requirements of knowledge-based economy.
For a nation aspiring to achieve sustainable growth and maintain its competitiveness, emphasis must be placed on creating a knowledge-based environment to attain this goal.
EDO literacy and Information Technology, Mohammad Asif Tarar said that Pakistan needs to respond positively to emerging opportunities and challenges of globalisation.
He said Pakistan needs to promote industrialisation because industry is the main source of creation of national wealth.
Athar Hussain Sial, DCO said that the government accepts education as one of the fundamental rights of a citizen and is committed to providing access to education to every citizen.
The challenge is to implement the education policy through creative and efficient use of all available resources. These resources may come from the government, private sector, civil society groups and development partners.
Speakers stated that various governments in the past have formulated an assortment of policies and plans to fulfil the constitutional commitment of providing education to the people and removing inequalities with limited success. The level of public spending is an important indicator of government's commitment to the cause of education.
Jaffar Hussain Mubarik, President Faisalabad Welfare Forum, Abdul Islam, President Rotary Club (South), Rana Mohammad Masood, President System Foundation, Dr Tanveer Ahmad, Syed Riaz Hussain Shah, Muhammad Ashraf Cheema and Ashiq Dogar also spoke on the occasion.