ISLAMABAD: While 25 million children are out of school in Pakistan, Adviser to Prime Minister Isfahanyar Bhandara on Saturday said that country cannot develop without educating the new generation.

“Our country’s prosperity is linked to educating our youth, we need to invest in the education of our youth. You have done your job, now it is the responsibility of the government to impose education emergency and educate children,” he said while speaking to participants of Education Expo 2024 in which over 20 leading schools participated with an aim to addressing the crisis of out-of -school children.

Expo was organised by the collaborative efforts of the Resilient Women Network (RWN) and Cornerstone Community Development (CCD).

Chairperson of RWN and a senior parliamentarian Asiya Nasir emphasised the significance of the expo, highlighting the need for transformative action to ensure every child’s right to education is upheld.

According to a statement, other attendees included Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and others.

Panel discussions, led by experts including Ms Zehra, Executive Director of the Pakistan Coalition for Education (PCE), and Ms Areeba Shahid, Executive Director of Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), delved into actionable strategies to address the education crisis.

Moreover, the Expo saw participation from prominent private school systems such as Beaconhouse and The City School, along with representatives from faith-based and welfare institutes. Their insights and contributions added depth to discussions on sustainable educational initiatives.

During the event, several challenges faced by public, private, faith-based, and welfare institutions were recognised, highlighting gaps in the current educational landscape.

The possibility of public-private partnerships was put forward as a solution to enhance the quality and sustainability of education in Pakistan.

The Expo underscored the collective commitment to harnessing athe power of collaboration, innovation, and perseverance to ensure that every child in Pakistan has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2024