Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University Vice Chancellor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui has said that Pakistan faces a serious challenge to its future in the shape of non school going children, and, therefore it is the collective responsibility of all to shoulder this task, says a press release. Addressing an event at
By our correspondents
March 31, 2015
Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University Vice Chancellor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui has said that Pakistan faces a serious challenge to its future in the shape of non school going children, and, therefore it is the collective responsibility of all to shoulder this task, says a press release. Addressing an event at the Sultana Foundation, he said out of 60 million children of school going age, almost 50% are out of school which is an alarming number. He said that Pakistan’s actual allocation of budget towards education, i.e. a dismal 1.47% of GDP, is the lowest in South Asia. He emphasized the need to implement Article 25-A of the Constitution in letter and spirit and also to improve the quality of teachers. The event was organised by Sultana Foundation to acknowledge the achievements of previously out of school children, enrolled under the aegis of its project Justice Yusaf Saraf Centre for Research, Rehabilitation and Mainstreaming of Out of School Children. Commending the efforts of Sultana Foundation to bridge the qualitative and quantitative deficit in education, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said that the Foundation is a beacon of hope for under-privileged segment of society. He urged other organizations to emulate the example set by the Foundation. Dr. Siddiqui visited Justice Yusaf Saraf Centre where he was conducted and briefed by the Project Coordinator Brigadier (R) Amjad Javaid. He interacted with the children and highly appreciated the facilities, environment and the teaching methodology. He was also given a briefing at the Foundation’s recently established Centre for Education Research and Social Development. Highlighting the quantitative and qualitative deficit in education, Chairman Sultana Foundation Dr. Naeem Ghani said that the Foundation is dedicated to bringing about a positive change by uplifting the human capital of Pakistani society through education, technical education, trainings and healthcare. Earlier, welcoming the chief guest, Vice Chairman Academics and Director of the project, Aziz Ghani gave the details of Foundation’s latest initiative. Other eminent guests present on the occasion were Major General (r) Sarfaraz Iqbal, member Punjab Assembly Ms. Zaib un Nissa, EDO (Education) Rawalpindi Qazi Zahoor ul Haq and principals of various educational institutions.
