The tenth Education for All Global Monitoring Report, Putting Education to Work of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes dire need for investment in the future of young boys and girls in terms of spending, quality education and skill building initiatives.
UNESCO in collaboration with Idara-e Taleem-o-Aagahi, Oxfam Novib and the Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, arranged the provincial launching of Global Monitoring Report at Karachi today to share Pakistan specific statistics and analysis with major educationists and policy makers.
He event was presided by the Senior Minister, Education and Literacy, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, who, on the occasion highlighted the importance of Education in the Nation’s overall economic, social and human development. He said that his government is committed towards education and is investing in youth and skills through various interventions. BBSYDP- Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Program was particularly highlighted as contributing towards the skill enhancement of the youth in the province. He also said that they will be using ASER 2011 results by Idara-e-taleem-o-Aagahi while making new policies and reforms for education as they will serve as benchmarks for the improvement of the sector.
The report reveals that the youth (between age 15- 24) female literacy rate in Pakistan is 61% against 79% for males. However, youth female literacy rate is projected to be 72% (against 82% for males) by year 2015, whereas adult female literacy rate of older age group (15+) is projected to be 65%. This indicates that young Pakistani females are more educated than their mothers.
Mr. Kazi Ayaz Mahessar (Provincial Coordinator, UNESCO), highlighted the main features and indicators of the report and told the participants, that; “Pakistan needs to tackle unemployment of the youth, and make them to be productive labor force, through training and education”.
In Pakistan, skills development (including teacher training) expenditure in year 2008/2009 was only 1% out of total education budget. “Education is the best investment in the societies we want. Every 1$ spent on child’s education yields $10-$15 in economic growth over person’s working life, this calls for global push and commitment for education in this country,” said UNESCO representative; quoted from Director — General UNESCO’s comments for Global Monitoring Report.
Ms. Bella Raza Jamil (Director Program – ITA), highlighted the importance of developing the youth with skills and urged the Government of Sindh for further investment in this sector. She urged on the need of incorporating technical education into formal education in order to produce skilled and empowered youth that is essential for the overall economic growth of Pakistan. She said that ITA will be providing its services in order to promote technical education with the means of public/private partnership that will play an essential role in this regards.
