ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 : Mr. Abdullah A. Fadil, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Pakistan, met with Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training, on Tuesday to discuss the challenges facing Pakistan’s education sector. The meeting was attended by Secretary of Education, Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
Federal Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui welcomed Mr. Abdullah A. Fadil and appreciated UNICEF’s services in Pakistan’s education sector. He praised UNICEF’s role in helping Pakistan create equal access to quality education for its people. Dr. Khalid stressed the urgent need to address the issue of Out-of-School Children and the broader gap in access and quality of education. He stated that the Ministry of Education is working on a holistic plan to create a National Education Framework, in which both the federation and the provinces will be equal stakeholders. The Minister mentioned that this policy would be launched within a month and would bring all stakeholders on the same page. He emphasized that all provinces, along with donor partners, would be consulted to create a national consensus. Dr. Khalid highlighted that the primary goal is to significantly reduce the number of Out-of-School Children in Pakistan, which can only be achieved with a national, concerted, and focused effort.
Secretary of Education, Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, stated that this seemingly insurmountable crisis could only be addressed if the solution to the education crisis becomes a cornerstone of the broader narrative of economic progress. Mr. Wani mentioned that the federal government would pledge support for underprivileged areas of the provinces, such as slums, to ensure broader inclusiveness under the National Education Policy.
Mr. Abdullah A. Fadil stated that UNICEF has been present in Pakistan since 1948, supporting efforts to increase access to quality education for all children, with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable populations. This includes initiatives to improve school enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes, as well as promoting inclusive and child-friendly learning environments. Mr. Abdullah highlighted that UNICEF spent $150 million from 2018-2023 on its education program in Pakistan and that this budget has been increased to approximately $250 million for the next five years. He stated that the Foundational Learning Alliance, which includes all major donors in Pakistan, would be keen to join the concerted effort under the banner of the National Education Policy.
Dr. Khalid Maqbool emphasized that the feudalization of education needs to end, stressing that every Pakistani should have the right to education regardless of their background. He mentioned that access to quality education, teacher training, infrastructural, and curriculum limitations are the greatest challenges that need to be prioritized. The Federal Minister stressed that the challenges of education cannot be addressed until the provinces and the federation work in unison. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page and own the direction taken by the federal government in resolving the current challenges of the education sector.
Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani mentioned that the Ministry of Education has also launched a National Nutritional Strategy, under which meals are being provided to underprivileged students in Islamabad to ensure their attendance in schools. He stated that Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a key priority area whose scope needs to be expanded. UNICEF representative Mr. Abdullah A. Fadil acknowledged its importance and committed to launching a pilot project of ECD in Islamabad.
