Govt introduces new literacy policy

Basharat launches Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education policy

LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Basharat Raja on Thursday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had taken lead in introducing the first-ever 'Literacy Policy' in the history of Punjab.

"We are fulfilling our promises and we are establishing that education is among the top priorities of the PTI government,” he said. He was addressing the launching ceremony of Punjab Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education (NFBE) policy 2019, arranged by Literacy and NFBE Department at 90 Shahrah-e-Quaid-i-Azam.

Minister for Literacy and NFBE Department Raja Rashid Hafeez, Literacy and NFBE Department Secretary Sumaira Samad and others attended the ceremony.

Basharat said the new policy would help in access to education in remote and far-flung areas.

Hafeez while addressing the ceremony said that the government was determined to achieve a 100% literacy rate in the province by 2030.

The minister said that enhancing the literacy rate was the utmost priority of the government. He added that the policy guidelines would help in promoting the public-private partnership which was necessary to achieve the goal of a 100% literacy rate.

As per the non-formal education policy, till 2030, all out of school children will be brought to schools.

Reportedly, the establishment of a separate directorate for better delivery of services is the salient feature of this policy while implementation of the constitutional obligation is also a part of the policy.

Following this policy, targets regarding literacy will be fulfilled that were committed with international organisations while the access to education will be provided at far-flung district schools.

Public-private partnerships will be enhanced to get the literacy targets while all stakeholders of education will be involved for this purpose. Besides, a movement will be started to develop the literacy rate in Punjab.

Usages of the information and communication technology are also the salient features of this policy while opportunities for sports and extracurricular activities will also be provided.

All the hurdles in getting 100% literacy rates will be removed while with the help of educationists and experts, education plans will be launched at schools to improve the literacy rate.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2020.