July 27, 2002	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16,1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 26: Political parties have been asked to make a commitment in their respective manifestos to gradually enhance financial allocations for health and education to a minimum of five per cent of the GNP.

These suggestions have been forwarded by Aurat Foundation, a civil society organization working for the cause of women, to the manifesto committees and heads of different political parties including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), PML-Q, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), Millat Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP), Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Awami Party (NAP), Sindh National Alliance and other political parties.

The foundation has asked the parties to commit to implementing compulsory primary education act in the provinces, with special focus on girl education; lift ban on recruitment of teachers and expedite the process of recruitment on the basis of a rational policy that should take into account the needs of the school.

It suggested to the parties to develop a focussed programme for girls’ enrolment and retention in primary schools and devise a higher education policy for girls that focuses on secondary and tertiary school levels.

The political parties were also asked to ensure in their manifestos that they would work for improving the quality of teacher-training institutions, curricula, methodology and teaching aids and sensitize teachers in gender issues through partnerships with civil society organizations.

The process of revision of textbooks and curricula should remove gender-biased stereotypes and promote a positive portrayal of women and girls, besides developing a relevant indigenised curriculum based on the teaching of life skills and suited to present needs. This curriculum should include current development issues related to women, children and youth rights, human, social and political rights, health, population, environment, narcotics and HIV/AIDS.