On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proclaimed a national education emergency, coinciding with International Literacy Day. He called upon the private sector and civil organizations to collaborate with the government in addressing the educational needs of the country.
In a statement marking International Literacy Day, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the education sector and fostering a more informed and sustainable nation.
International Literacy Day, celebrated on September 8, serves as a reminder of the crucial role of literacy in building a just, peaceful, and sustainable society. According to UNESCO, a major challenge remains the lack of access to education, with three out of four children in developing countries unable to read or understand basic text by age 10. Additionally, there are 754 million illiterate adults worldwide, with two-thirds being women.
In his message for International Literacy Day, President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated his commitment to making education accessible for all, in accordance with Article 25A of the Constitution, which mandates free and compulsory education for children aged five to sixteen. He stated, “The State is constitutionally obligated to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged five to sixteen years.”
President Zardari emphasized the transformative power of education and literacy as vital to the nation’s progress. This year’s theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” was highlighted to stress the importance of literacy in promoting unity, cultural appreciation, and peaceful coexistence.
The President also announced Pakistan’s National Educational Emergency initiative, aimed at enrolling out-of-school children and providing education to 70 million adults to combat illiteracy.
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