ISLAMABAD, Sep 08 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said Pakistan's low literacy rate is a serious national problem that requires a joint effort from the government, educational institutions, civil society and all sections of society. Speaking at a ceremony held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) to mark International Literacy Day, he said that despite decades of efforts to promote education in rural and …
Edu Minister calls for collective effort to improve literacy rate
ISLAMABAD, Sep 08 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said Pakistan’s low literacy rate is a serious national problem that requires a joint effort from the government, educational institutions, civil society and all sections of society.
Speaking at a ceremony held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) to mark International Literacy Day, he said that despite decades of efforts to promote education in rural and underdeveloped areas, the desired results have not been achieved, so new and workable approaches are now needed instead of traditional methods.
The minister suggested that the country’s extensive network of mosques could be used effectively to promote literacy — proposing that, with cooperation from local clerics, communities and relevant institutions, mosques could serve as short-duration learning centers before noon, giving large numbers of children, young people and illiterate adults access to basic education.
During the event, a mobile app titled “Har Shakhs Aik Fard Ko Parhayen” (“Let Everyone Teach One Person”) was launched to strengthen the national literacy campaign and encourage students and other segments of society to teach at least one illiterate person.
National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Chairman Sadiq Iftikhar called for coordinated, result-oriented measures to boost literacy nationwide, noting that NCHD is working at the community level with a focus on areas with limited educational facilities.
NCHD Director General Ali Asghar said involving local communities as active participants is essential, adding that successful literacy programs are those designed around local needs, available resources and community involvement.
Allama Iqbal Open University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood said that with genuine commitment, the light of education can reach every individual even with limited resources, and that the university continues to serve people who cannot access traditional institutions due to geographic, economic or other constraints.
Balochistan’s provincial Education Minister Raheela Durrani said the province’s literacy challenges differ from other regions because of geographic difficulties, remote populations and a shortage of educational facilities, stressing the need for effective cooperation between federal and provincial governments, local communities and development partners.
The event was also addressed by UNESCO representative Fawad Pashayev, UNICEF representative Dr. Shermeela Rasool, JICA representative Muhammad Bilal Aziz, Ministry of Education specialist Sana Isa, and Amna Kamal from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.
