German support in education laudable: Baligh

Islamabad
Minister of State for Education and Professional Training Baligh-ur-Rehman lauded the support of Germany in promotion of quality education in Pakistan during past two and a half decades.
Attending the National Conference on Quality Education and Training for Socio-Economic Development of Pakistan as chief guest held here on Wednesday, he said, the government is committed to impart quality education to the future generations so that they are able to contribute for the betterment of Pakistan and the world. He said with current government’s efforts, the literacy rate has been increased from 58% to 60%, while the attainment of primary education has increased from 68% to 72%.
The minister of state said that the development of basic skills and competencies forms the basis of all future learning. Research findings indicate that effective learning takes place in schools that provide quality education. Improving access to schooling alone does not indicate that learning is taking place and that students are being equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. Increased enrollment, therefore, may be a temporary phenomenon in the absence of quality inputs through which high learning outcomes are achieved.
Though we all believe that education is one of the most vital investments for the future human development and a key requirement for the progress of our society, imparting quality education continues to remain a long standing challenge, stated the state minister. The development of the society and the economy require education that is relevant to its potential growth path. In addition, emerging societal concerns such as social cohesion, disaster preparedness, and environmental management constitute imperatives that qualitatively strengthen education content.
He stressed that realizing this challenge the founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, advised the nation to bring its educational policy and programmes in line with global trends. This concern is reflected in all the policies which assign a high priority to the development of values driven education content aligned to the job market and societal needs.
The delivery of quality education starts with evidence based planning and management of the education delivery system and entails a series of linked outcomes-based processes such as curriculum appropriateness, availability of high quality textbooks and supplementary reading materials, teachers’ ability to deliver in the classroom and effective assessment methods.
The education departments in all provinces and areas have been making concerted efforts towards improvements in these elements. Much of these efforts will constitute the deliberations, later today, but I must highlight that change is a long drawn process, one that entails patience and consistent efforts in line with the vision enshrined in common national aspirations, said he. Both the National Education Policy (2009) and the Curriculum (2006) envision a qualitatively reformed education system geared towards improvements in the lives of people living in a progressive society with improving economic indicators.
GIZ’s capacity building approach to development cooperation has made significant contributions to systemic improvements in education service delivery that we must sustain and build upon after the exit of GIZ from support to basic education in Pakistan in December 2015.