Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today unveiled his government's plan to launch a literacy movement across Pakistan to ensure enrollment of every child in the school, saying education for all was a national emergency.
Pakistan's literacy rate is just 58 per cent and more than half of its population is below 25 years of age.
"With proper education and training, this huge reservoir of human capital can offer us an edge in the race for growth and prosperity in the age of globalization. Without education, this resource can turn into a burden," he said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Education and former premier of Britain Gordon Brown here.
Sharif said the education was an important determinant of economic entrepreneurship, employability and productivity.
"Currently, literacy rate in Pakistan is 58 per cent overall, but this is skewed towards males. Our effort is to bridge the gender gap," he asserted.
Sharif appreciated the UN role in enhancing the cause of education and said Millennium Development Goals had played an important role in shaping international discourse on allocation of resources for key global priorities like 'Education for All'.
He said Pakistan was committed to achieving the targets and indicators adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2000.
While elaborating government's steps, Sharif said the private sector too is playing an increasingly important role in the field of education.
"Out of the 14.4 million primary stage enrolments, 4.8 million (34 per cent) are enrolled in private sector schools," he said.
Sharif said that private sector share is much higher at the lower middle and secondary levels.
He also praised the "laudable role" of the UN agencies, led by UNESCO, NGOs and civil society organizations, social organizations, philanthropists, religious institutions, delivery agents, and donors' community in general who are sharing a significant portion of funding education in Pakistan.
