Shafqat says govt to introduce uniform education system

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Thursday said the main focus of the government would be to introduce a uniform education and certification system with uniform text books

“Our main focus will be to bring the 25 million out of school children to schools, to introduce a uniform education and certification system with uniform text books where core subjects are the same to enhance the quality of education and skills,” he said while as a chief guest at the ‘Best Teacher Awards Ceremony’ organized by the USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project at Marriot Hotel Islamabad.

Shafqat said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would introduce special programs for the capacity building of the teachers as education was the top most priority of this government.

He said that teachers played an instrumental role in building the foundation of the nation and congratulated all those teachers who were chosen for the awards among the 24,000 teachers based on their performance, dedication and integrity.

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The education minister said that the teachers must strive to be the best.

Shafqat Mahmood said that development and prosperity of a nation without education was impossible.

He said that teachers were great asset of the country and the government would provide them support and would facilitate them so that they could play effective role in the education and nation building.

“Federal Education Ministry has worked tirelessly for this last one month on planning education reforms and these reforms will be soon put into implementation to achieve the education agenda of the present government”, the minister for education said.

Shafqat Mahmood thanked the USAID and the Pakistan Reading Project for organizing the event and working for encouragement of the teachers.

Jerry Bisson, Mission Director USAID also addressed the audience and said that by improving the quality of education and extending access to it we ensure the welfare of a nation.

“USAID is investing in the teachers of Pakistan because teachers play a pivotal role in the success of the education system,” he said.

He said that research had shown that if every child got access to education and learnt all the skills to play an effective role in the society, it resulted in 28% increase in GDP of a country with an average economy.