THE PML(N) Government surely deserves credit for prioritizing education in its overall policies and budgetary allocations as this is the sure way to fast-track progress and development. It is encouraging that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who introduced fundamental reforms in the educational sector in Punjab during his tenure as Chief Minister of the province, has demonstrated his commitment as the chief executive of the country to go for whole hog to bring about a change in the otherwise neglected sector.
The commitment of the Prime Minister to give a boost to the education sector is evident from his latest move aimed at establishing a 19-member national task force to resolve all issues related to the national education emergency. The PM himself would chair the task force, which would include, among others representatives from multilateral institutions and global institutions of repute, ensuring their cooperation in realization of the objectives of declaring educational emergency. Apart from recommending projects in the education sector, the task force would make an assessment of the education system of Pakistan and hurdles to achieving the literacy targets. It will also work on policy making regarding the government schools and education of the poor children and make important decisions regarding promotion and improvement of quality of education in Pakistan. It is important to note that Federal Secretary Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, who has a clear vision about educational reforms, has been designated as convener of the task force. Mr. Wani launched a number of initiatives to develop education and IT sectors during his posting as Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan and has been instrumental in initiating a series of measures to promote education after his appointment as Secretary Education. No doubt, education is the provincial subject after devolution of powers under the 18th constitutional amendment but still the Federal Government plays a pivotal role of coordination among the federating units. The education emergency is essentially aimed at promoting literacy and enrolling about 26 million children, who are currently out of school and seamless coordination means success of the campaign in the foreseeable future. However, the ground realities also demand that the Government should also focus on higher education as socio-economic progress of the country is directly linked to the level and quality of research and development.
