Talking of millions

It is ironic that, while we take pride in being a nuclear power, we rank among those few countries where the number of children not going to school runs into millions. According to official figures, about 25 million children are not attending school at all. This startling figure speaks volumes of the criminal negligence meted out to the education sector by successive governments.

Given the problems of extremism, terrorism, sectarianism and intolerance afflicting our society, the government cannot afford to ignore education anymore. The federal government, in collaboration with the provinces, should draw a comprehensive reforms package to bring about positive changes in education. It should allocate sufficient resources to achieve the proposed reforms. Quality education and better facilities should be ensured at all public-sector schools. The country has no future sans education. Not providing education to children is as big a crime as not providing them with food, clothes and shelter.

Salman Ali

Lahore