Out Of School Children (OOSC) Figure Dropped Thrice, Highest Achievement In History: Minister For Education And Professional Training Engr Muhammad Baligh Ur Rahman

Minister for Education and Professional Training Engr Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman on Wednesday said number of out of school children had been dropped more than thrice, a positive development in history of the country.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Apr, 2018 ) :Minister for Education and Professional Training Engr Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman on Wednesday said number of out of school children had been dropped more than thrice, a positive development in history of the country.

He shared these facts while addressing the launching ceremony of a nation wide project titled "Education One Million Out of School Children" organized here on Wednesday. In this regard an agreement has been signed between American Refugee Committee (ARC) and Foundation of Qatar to support the education of one million out-of-school children across the country in conjunction with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

Saqr Bin Mubarak Al Mansouri, Ambassador of Qatar was guest of honor on the occasion while a large number of officials from the key offices of provincial government departments, International Developmental Organisations and civil society were also present on the occasion.

Baligh ur rehman stated that around five million Out Of School Children (OOSC) had been admitted to the schools during last four years which decreased the OOSC figure. He informed that after 18th amendment, education had become provincial subject but the provinces refused to take responsibility of such students due to lack of capacity, adding that the federal government took their responsibility and work hard to protect future of such children.

The minister appreciated the Qatar government and Qatar Foundation for helping Pakistan to achieve the 100 percent literacy rate at our homeland. The minister while highlighting the achievements of present government in education sector said, "We have set education standards first time in the history of country".

"We had introduced modern curriculum from class one to five at par with international standards", he elaborated. The ministers also lauded the role of private sector for the promotion of education through public-private partnership.

Earlier, in his address Joint Education Adviser, Muhammad Rafiq Tahir said out of school children was a big challenge but with the efforts of government their ratio has been decreased. Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Former Senator Razina Alam Khan said it is encouraging to observe that the issue of Out of School Children is now attracting the attention of planners, donors and the government.

She said the education ministry, provinces and civil society organizations are now focusing more on bringing every child into the school. The chairperson further said that NCHD has been contributing significantly in introducing and popularizing Enrollment Campaign in the country.