Summary PN Nawaz was addressing at a conference in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced to launch literacy movement along with a package of incentives to ensure maximum enrollment in schools.
Addressing a conference on Unfinished Agenda in Education in Islamabad today (Saturday), he said there is national consensus on the need to reform and modernize the education sector to bring it at par with national priorities and international standards.
He said the government is trying to achieve 100 percent literacy rate in three years .He said the government will double the education budget in four years.
He said recently a national plan of action has been launched in collaboration with the provinces to achieve the education related targets.
Education will also be made an important component of government's development programme.
Nawaz Sharif said democracy is taking roots in the country. A smooth transition has taken place but the actual fruits have yet to reach the public. He said we want to strengthen democratic norms and this is possible only through education.
The Prime Minister said investment in education is actually investment into the future of the country.
Emphasizing upon an education system compatible with knowledge based economy, he said science and technology including vocational training and information technology must be made integral part of the education system.
Besides, he said our education policy must prioritize the education of female. We must ensure women participation in the decision making process.
Women are already playing a prominent role in the education sector and other fields of life.
He said more than half of country's population is below twenty five years of age and the future of the country is directly linked with the proper education of this lot. The Prime Minister said without education the demographic dividend will turn into a burden.
In his remarks, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Education Gordon Brown appreciated the steps taken by the incumbent government for the promotion of education. He said it is encouraging to see that the government wants to double the budget of education.
Offering all out support to Pakistan to achieve the targets in the education sector, Gordon Brown said several countries and institutions are coming up with assistance to help Pakistan meet the goal of each child in the school.
