ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood has said that Pakistan is facing a myriad challenges in education sector and will seek guidance from the Chinese experience to address them.
Speaking to a Chinese delegation led by China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, the federal minister said they will take a leadership role, work on policy framework and introduce uniform standards and certification in education system even though education is a devolved subject.
“We will provide all out support to the provinces, will facilitate and coordinate with them to enable them to introduce the changes in education system in provinces purely in national interest and bright future of our entire youth,” he said.
He said that among the challenges are bringing 2.5 million out of school children to schools, establishing a uniform education system and curriculum, ensuring quality education and working on skill development.
“I am here to implement the vision of Imran Khan regarding the education uplift of Pakistan and translate that vision into a reality,” he added.
The federal minister said that Pakistan would like to learn from the experiences of China who in spite of a huge youth population, different languages and multiple ethnicities, introduced a uniform education system. He also sought support on skills and human development.
The minister, who is also in charge of Heritage Division, told the Chinese delegation that a national task force on heritage is working to devise a strategy to put heritage buildings to better use.
“We will do a heritage audit and analysis of all our national heritage sites and buildings to assess their current condition and will invest in these sites to turn them into greatest tourist attractions.
“Pakistan has some of the best heritage sites that if properly developed will become a source of attraction for tourists all around the globe,” he added.
Social Aspect of CPEC
The Chinese ambassador appreciated the government’s steps for education and ensured their full support. He informed that under CPEC, apart from the economic and development aspect, the Chinese government is working on introducing a social aspect which will work for the promotion of health, education, skill and human development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
“It will be executed as per the wishes of the government and people of Pakistan but our focus for social aspect will be more on Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other such areas,” added Mr. Yao Jing.
“It may include building schools infrastructure, health facilities, providing more and more scholarships to the Pakistani students and providing skill development training,” he added.
The Chinese ambassador further said that they would support education in Pakistan and will share their experiences and guide the government in introducing the changes in the education system.
He also agreed to arrange a comprehensive briefing for the education minister on how China shifted to the uniform education system. Both sides agreed to stay in regular contact and hold further meetings for the promotion of education.
