KARACHI: Private sector urged to invest in education
KARACHI, Sept 1: Federal minister for information and media development Nisar Memon has asked the private sector to invest in the education sector for the development of the country.
He was speaking as chief guest at the 117th foundation day of the Sindh Madressah Board (SMB) and the 14th anniversary celebrations of the SMB Quaid-i-Azam Public School at village Darsano Chhano, about 30 kilometres from here on Sunday.
“Unless the private sector comes forward, education sector cannot be developed,” he remarked.
Mr Memon said the government’s policy was to encourage the private sector to open more schools as the regime alone cannot cater to the need of the nation.
He said the main emphasis was to increase primary and secondary education. “Pakistan’s progress in higher education has been recognized by Sri Lanka, despite the fact that the latter has achieved a tremendous success in achieving 95 per cent literacy rate.”
During the visit of President Gen Pervez Musharraf to Colombo, the Sri Lankan minister sought Pakistani assistance in promotion of higher education, he said.
The minister asked the youth to follow the three principles of the Father of the Nation — Unity, Faith and Discipline.
He said President Musharraf has been making efforts to bring social, political and economic reforms in the country to strengthen institutions.
“During his three-year tenure, the President has already brought about changes in various fields. Now for construction of roads, etc., people do not have to go to the secretariat in Karachi or Islamabad; they just go to their union councils and districts,” he remarked.
“The President has brought two major reforms in the constitution: the first major change is restoration of President’s powers under Article 258 (B). These powers of the President are not new as in the past due to this article military take over was prevented.”
Moreover, he said, the President has constituted the National Security Council (NSC), in which majority members would be those elected representative, besides four members of the armed forces.
This would ensure that the prime minister and the future governments should work in the greater national interests, he added.
Mr Memon asked the people to elect honest people in the forthcoming elections. He made it clear that elections would be held according to the schedule.
In economic terms, Pakistan has made progress as the country’s reserves were only US$ 600 when this government took over, which have now crossed $ 7.4 billion, he added.
He appreciated the efforts of the Sindh Madressah Board and its President Nisar Ali Effendy in the field of education.
Federal minister for agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo in his presidential address underlined the need for imparting agriculture education in rural schools.
He said agriculture played an important role in the country as it constituted 70 per cent of the country’s economy. About 50 per cent of our labour force is engaged in this sector, he added.
Moreover, he said, about 80 per cent of the population depended on agriculture, directly or indirectly. Agriculture would continue to play a very important role, he added.
He appreciated the efforts of the SMB for starting a three- year diploma course in organic farming. He said the world has now realized the disadvantages of chemical use in agriculture.
Earlier, chairman of the academic council of the board, Prof Saleem Memon, presented performance of the school and said the school has been imparting quality education to rural areas’ youth.
The students of the school presented a colourful programme, including national songs, tableau and debates in English, Urdu and Sindhi.—APP
