President Asif Ali Zardari has proposed the formation of a high level National Literacy Council to launch a well-co-ordinated and effective literacy drive throughout the country. In a message on the International Literacy Day, the President said the setting up of the Council aimed at promoting education, and it would include chief ministers and federal and provincial ministers for education, finance and planning as its members.
The President said the day was being observed today as an important occasion for planners and decision makers to assess achievements and shortfalls in the field of basic education for prosperity and security of the coming generation. He said, "Pakistan is lagged behind most countries of the region in the areas of literacy and primary education."
"According to Human Development Index, Pakistan is ranked 136th out of 179 countries of the world and we have, so far, been able to make little progress in changing the situation," he said. Zardari said currently, 50 million Pakistanis cannot read or write, adding, the state of affairs demands a review of development priorities and re-examination of strategies.
He mentioned the Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 which says free elementary education is a fundamental right, with literacy as a core component of education. He said Pakistan had committed to eradicate illiteracy in 1973, adding that Benazir Bhutto had signed the declaration of 'Education for All' in September 1994 when she was prime minister, in the presence of UN agencies and international leaders.
The President strongly recommended legislation by parliament to recognise and declare free primary education as a fundamental human right in the Constitution of Pakistan. He said, "Inequalities in education stand in the way of balanced and equitable economic development. An illiterate labour force also adversely impacts on national harmony. A literate nation is essential for both prosperity and for the integrity and security of the nation."
President Zardari urged the educational planners to adopt a multi-pronged strategy for the eradication of illiteracy and provision of basic education to all including children, youth and adults. He said, "Together with higher priority to the formal primary education, we must also expand access to non-formal basic education programmes and launch a long term and sustainable programme which should be purposeful so as to equip illiterate farmers, labourers, and rural women with knowledge and skills which can enhance their income."
Comments
Comments are closed.