Literacy vital for improving human indicators: NCHD

Islamabad: Chairperson of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Senator Razina Alam Khan has said that literacy vital for improving human indicators in the country.

She said this while addressing the Operational Review Meeting, which was attended by all the provincial heads and head of departments here at the Head Office, a press release said. She said, Education being the basis of human civilizations, benefits societies in many ways, as a major driver for economic growth and human development, empowers individuals by giving a better understanding for living a healthy, prosperous and peaceful life. People who are illiterates lack decision making power and are less likely to participate in civic life.

Hence, human indicators are all linked with education. We need to introduce education as an element for improving human indicators; we can say literacy plays a vital role in improving human indicators.

She said though the government of Pakistan has taken steps to improve education and improvement is observed as decrease in out of school children, increase in Adjusted Net Enrolment Rate in Primary Education from 72% to 77% and increase in education facilities as well.

All these efforts could not meet the target of 90% literacy rate, as we are moving at a very slow pace, we need to take some fast track initiatives to achieve 90% literacy rate, she maintained.

All the participants from provinces presented ongoing programmes in their respective domains and a detail discussion was generated about enrolment campaign, passing out of the students of 5th grade and different success stories.

The issue of raise of honorarium for teachers was raised by the provincial heads and it was decided that the issue will be taken with the government for approval. All the policy makers need to focus on 40% illiterate population and a multi pronged strategy should be adapted to approach these 57 million illiterates, chairperson informed.

The NCHD is developing a comprehensive roadmap National Plan of Action” with the help of provincial governments for encompassing mechanism for the achievement of education targets set in Vision 2025 and SDGs, she further informed.

She said this NPA is going to be launched very soon and serious efforts from all stakeholders working in the field of education including Government department/Institutions, NGOs, INGOs and donors will be required to work on the set targets of NPA in true spirits.