ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Baligh-ur-Rehman on Thursday said that government is determined to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education.

Speaking at the inaugural session of two-day E-9 conference, the minister said all efforts were being made to achieve millennium development goals (MDGs) and the target of ‘education for all’.

E-9 forum was initiated in 1993 at Education for All Summit of nine highly populated countries in New Delhi, India.

The countries include Pakistan, India Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and China.

“In order to achieve the objectives, we are implementing Education sector reforms 2001-2004, National Education Policy 2009 and National Plan of Action 2013-16 to accelerate our efforts in achieving MDGs,” the minister said.

India’s Ministry for Human Resource Development Joint Secretary J Alam shared India’s achievements in the education sector with the audience.

He said that they have opted for curriculum reform and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said the government is taking various steps to improve the country’s education sector.

He also informed the delegates that efforts were being made to establish a Skills University.

The meeting will continue till Friday evening and at the end a joint statements will be released by member countries.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014