Literacy, skills development combined programme announced’Our correspondent

LAHORE:Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and Secretary Literacy Punjab Syed Haider Iqbal on Sunday announced developing a new programme that combines literacy with skill development, tailored to contemporary needs.

Addressing an event to observe International Literacy Day, they said that the age-old debate between science and art was now over, as we have entered the era of technology. Non-formal schools were also transitioning towards digital literacy, they added.

The minister said that the purpose of celebrating Literacy Day was to uplift the morale of teachers and students in non-formal schools. He mentioned that an afternoon school programme would be launched soon, and emphasised the need for long-term planning to address the challenge of out-of-school children.

Syed Haider Iqbal, announced a 1.5 times increase in the remuneration for teachers in non-formal schools. He also shared that the Wheels on Literacy Project and Adult Literacy Centres would be launched next year. He disclosed that 11,260 Adult Literacy Centres would begin operations at the start of next year, offering six-month technical courses in agriculture, mining, IT, fisheries, and other areas. Additionally, middle tech education will be introduced in 470 elementary schools. These three-year technical courses will be condensed into a one-and-a-half-year format for students.

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Department of Literacy and Tevta. Special awards were presented to non-formal school teachers, literacy mobilisers, trainers, and monitors, while more than 300 teachers received tablets. The minister also commended the efforts of teachers operating literacy centres in the Kacha area.