No socioeconomic progress sans education: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday said education was the only key to unlock the dark areas of human faculties and no human being could attain socioeconomic progress without that. In his message on International Literacy Day, the chief minister said the role of an educated person helped in moulding the overall character of a society.

No nation could attain development and prosperity without education which was the foremost right of every child, he added. Shahbaz said the PML-N government had been striving hard to give a bright future to the children by promoting education which was the only mean to deal with the modern-day challenges like poverty and unemployment.

Citing the various improvements introduced in the education sector, he urged the teachers to impart quality education to students. “I would appeal to the parents to give attention to the education of their children and make them the best architects for nation building.”

He said solid steps had been adopted for promoting education in the province, with a holistic policy devised to deal effectively with the contemporary challenges. “This day requires that all the line departments should proactively work to help increase the literacy ratio,” said the chief minister.

Separately, the chief minister ordered 24/7 surveillance to tackle the possible spread of dengue in wake of recent rains. Shahbaz, who is currently in London, said Punjab medical team’s performance for dealing with dengue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was praiseworthy.

He said an organised campaign should be initiated so as to sensitise the people about the precautionary measures for combating dengue. Meanwhile, the chief minister also congratulated the students securing top positions in BA/BSc exams.  “It is my conviction that hard work does not go down the drain in any field, including the education sector. It is satisfying that despite having fewer resources, some of the students have achieved this position with their hard work, commitment and passion. Our talented students have the ability to alter the course of history,” he added.