Pakistan’s dangerously low literacy rate hindering its progress

ISLAMABAD: Nations cannot progress and flourish when there is disparity in the socio economic status of different segments of the society, nor can a nation progress when more than 50 % of its population remains uneducated.  With millions of out-of-school children in Pakistan, the literacy rate continues to be low, hindering the country’s prosperity.

These views were expressed by speakers at a simple and impressive ceremony held to give prizes to students studying in Out of School Children’s Schools (OSC schools), an establishment providing education to underprivileged children who could not enroll in government schools due to economic issues or being overage. The ceremony was held to show appreciation for students and teachers of the fifth grade at the OSC schools.

Overage, out of school children of slum areas are being provided quality education at an accelerated pace, in order to redeem some of their lost years.



International Foundation for Education, Empowerment & Learning (iFeel) is collaborating with Federal Directorate of Education and other organizations working in the same field.  Students after successfully completing their primary education and passing the fifth grade examination of the Federal Directorate of Education are mainstreamed in Federal Government schools.  The progress of students is also monitored later to ensure that they do not drop out.

Feel not only provides free education but it also takes care of other needs of the students. Monthly ration support is provided to orphan students and ration packets are provided during Ramzan.

The Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, Rolf Michael Hay Pereira Holmboe, who was the chief guest on this occasion, said that Denmark is one of the richest and happiest nations, in large part due to the transformation and promotion of its education sector. Both public and private sectors play a proactive role in the promotion of education.



According to the Ambassador, to be a part of global economy, a country must make education its top priority. He said that the impressive performances by the student at the ceremony show their talent and iFeel is playing a constructive role in bringing out of school children in the mainstream of the society.

Feel Chairperson Dr Tayyaba Siddiqui said they have been working to educate underprivileged children since 2007 but the organization was formally registered in 2015.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2018.