ABBOTTABAD, Jan 17: Speakers at a workshop have urged the government to include an “education in emergency” plan in the proposed National Education Policy.

The World Vision Pakistan has organised the two-day roundtable workshop at a local hotel. Representatives of different NGOs, including Save the Children (Sweden), Sungi Development Foundation, Sarhad Rural Support Corporation, National Commission for Human Development, IRC and the CRC, and officials of the education department discussed the National Education Policy.

The World Vision Pakistan, working in earthquake-affected areas of Mansehra, Balakot, Ghari Habibullah, Oghi, Battagram and Abbottabad, has put forward a working plan with special focus on education so that the affected people can continue their studies.

The speakers stressed the need for cooperation among stakeholders, especially government functionaries involved in the rehabilitation process in the earthquake-hit areas.

They said differences over the issues of jurisdiction and powers between the provincial earthquake rehabilitation authority and the education department were affecting the education sector – the main victims being students.

They said the education policy once finalised should not be changed with the change of government.

They said Urdu and local languages should be used as medium of instruction.

They said only three subjects should be taught at the primary level so that burden on children could be reduced.

They called for launching programs for capacity building of teachers.