For equity in education, one system with one curriculum to be introduced: Shafqat Mahmood

ISLAMABAD, Oct 1 (APP):Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood Monday said the government profoundly realized the challenges being faced by the country and committed to address them on priority.
Addressing a conference “Launching of National Skills Forum” organized here by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) with support of TVET Sector Support Programme, he said the government would utilize all available resources to overcome the issues.
Sharing the details regarding challenges being faced in education sector, he said Out Of Schools Children (OOSC) is one of them adding the government is committed to enroll the maximum number of these children.
Shafqat Mahmood further said provision of equity in education system is another challenge which will be overcome by creating single education system through single curriculum so that people can compete on same level of education.
“We have different streams of education due to which the maximum number of positions are taken by the students studying in private educational institutions,” he added.
The minister said the last but not the least challenge is the provision of quality education to the students.
“We have a number of educated youth but unfortunately they have low standard of education. We have to provide quality of technical and vocational training to our youth in different demand driven sectors so that they could be able to get jobs across the globe,” he underlined.
Emphasizing the need of girls’ education in the country, the minister said the government will educate the women on priority as they play key role in establishing the society.
Earlier, in his opening remarks Director General of NAVTTC, Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema said Pakistan has around 70 million youth which needs to be equipped with technical skills.
This youth not only a heavy burden on the country’s economy but also a threat to the security and peace, he added.
“TVET is the only gateway to the peace and prosperity” he remarked.
The ambassador of Germany, Marten Kobler speaking on the occasion said Pakistan should utilize the benefits of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by equipping the youth with technical skills.
He underlined the need to encourage the women in business chamber of commerce.
He revealed that Pakistan will have 400 million inhabitants by 2050 which is big challenge for the country adding it can be resolved through provision of technical skills.
Ambassador of European Union, Jean-François Cautain said Pakistan needs skilled labour force on urgent basis to fulfill the needs of the CPEC.
He reiterated EU’s full support in the provision of technical skills to the youth.
Ambassador of Royal Norwegian Embassy and Chairman of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries Ghazanfar Bilour also underlined the need of technical skills and reiterated their full support in this regard.