Youth activists, parliamentarians and civil society experts urged the state to formulate a national plan to ensure a framework for education following the deadline of the targets set for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and EFA. The conference was part of a two-day series of consultations organized by Pakistan Coalition for Education in collaboration with Beydaar Society.
The conference featured the inaugural session of the National Youth Caucus on Education, organised by Pakistan Coalition for Education and Beydaar Society, a group of youth leaders harmonizing education debate. The inaugural session featured youth activists from across the nation debating on the Post-2015 education agenda in the context of the deadline of the MDGs and EFA. Shiza Fatima, a member of the Parliament and prominent politician, chaired the inaugural session.
International communities agreed upon the Millennium Development Goals and EFA in 2000. These specified a series of goals that had specific targets and indicators on education, focusing on equity and gender, with a deadline of 2015. However, most developing nations have not been able to meet many of these goals, such as Pakistan – which has a 0% chance of meeting any of the goals on education.
The conference also featured a panel discussion, which took into account the perspectives of prominent civil society experts representing various organisations. “We need to take initiative, and the youth of Pakistan can help with ensuring that the educational system of this nation is transformed,” remarked Director of Aurat Foundation Farkhanda Aurangzeb. “Women empowerment is tantamount to ensuring quality education for all. We must teach our girls and ensure that they are part of the workforce,” stated Executive Director of KhwendoKor Maryam Bibi, an organization working on female empowerment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.