KARACHI, July 4: Federal Minister for Labour and Overseas Pakistanis, Owais Ghani, has underscored the need for abolition of the existing class-based education system in the country with due emphasis on science and technology.

Deliberating on the subject of “broadening the base of quality manpower” and “driving national growth through the human factor” at the conference, the minister underscored the need for abolition of the existing class-based education system with due emphasis on science and technology.

He said that quality education can only produce quality manpower.

He regretted that the system of a colonial legacy continues to exist owing to failure on part of political system in the country since long, exposing the nation not only to social disintegration but also putting it to a certain disadvantageous position in the comity of nations.

Later, responding to the questions raised by participants of the conference, the minister agreed that education for poor masses has to be heavily subsidized.

He also referred to steps taken by federal ministry of labour to provide maximum opportunities for education to offspring of local blue collar workers.

Till date, he said 42 schools have been established in remote parts of the country where absolutely free of charge quality education is imparted, adding the chain is in process to spread in 96 districts in near future.

Speaking at the conference, Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf, called for a strong and credible judiciary, coupled with an independent accountability commission, to eliminate the culture of corruption.

He underscored the need for an impartial accountability culture in the country and said an independent judiciary would also lead towards a balance among different institutions, ultimately strengthening democracy.

“Without a powerful judicial system, the country could not have a corruption-free democracy,” he commented.

The PTI chief also spoke on the deteriorating standard of education, absence of rule of law and culture of tax-evasion as the contributory factors enhancing country’s vulnerability to corruption and dependence on loans and donations at the cost of vital national interest.

He sought the imposition of “education emergency” in the country, reminding that prior to 1970 the government-owned educational institutions had produced intellectuals besides outstanding experts pertaining to varied fields.—APP