LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar emphasised the importance of implementing children’s fundamental right to education as the number of out-of-school children continues to rise.

The University of Home Economics organised the seminar titled “Policy Gaps in the Education System of Pakistan” with the collaboration of the Pakistan Youth Parliament.

UHE Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen said, “Without inclusive and equitable quality education for all, Pakistan will not succeed in achieving gender equality and upbringing the lives of millions across the country.”

She said Pakistan is facing a serious challenge to ensure all children, particularly the most disadvantaged, attend, stay, and learn in school, and currently, Pakistan has the world’s second-highest number of out-of-school children.

She said higher education institutes are facing various challenges, including weak industry-university linkages across Pakistan, and therefore we are lacking in innovations.

Dr Nizamud Din, former PHEC chairperson, stated that 27 million children in Pakistan are not in school, and the number is growing every year, despite the fact that education is a constitutional right for every child.

He said access to schools is not being provided to children, and children’s access to schools is a major challenge due to the lack of transport facilities. He emphasised that educational policies should be designed and executed by educators rather than bureaucrats. He remarked that universities are experiencing a leadership crisis, which has a direct influence on the performance of educational institutions.

He said that through a consortium of higher education institutions, we have to plan a long-term policy and its implementation at the national level so that Pakistan can contribute to meeting the needs of the national economy.

He said Unesco has dedicated World Education Day to the young girls of Afghanistan who are fighting for their education.

Journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami said the Constitution of Pakistan ensures education is a fundamental right, but education is not for all children. He also said the division of the curriculum in Pakistan is creating classes, and those who get a better quality education leave the country.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2023