Federal
Minister for Education and Professional Training, Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur
Rehman has said that youth are the biggest assets of Pakistan and the
investment in youth is vital to ensure country’s bright future.
The Federal Minister was addressing as
Chief Guest at the Pearson Annual Outstanding Learners Award Ceremony at Serena
Hotel, Islamabad on Wednesday.
Pearson is the UK’s largest awarding
body and offers diverse range of academic and vocational qualifications in
collaboration with the British Council.
Addressing the students, he said: I am
pleased to congratulate the high achievers for making their parents and country
proud. I am expecting that each one of you will utilize the knowledge and
skills to serve humanity and country with strong sense of patriotism and
responsibility.
Baligh Ur Rehman said that budget
allocations for education sector have been enhanced and the steps are being
taken for the promotion of education in the country. He noted that number of
out of school children in the country dropped sharply.
The Federal Minister said that
government believes in establishing public-private collaborations for
introducing new concepts and best practices in the country.
He said Pearson works closely with the
government of Punjab. Sir Michael Barber from Pearson visits quite frequently
as adviser to Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on bringing
reforms in education sector and is currently engaged in different projects .
In recent past Chief Minister Mian
Shahbaz Sharif visited Pearson head office in London where chairperson TEVTA
Irfan Qaiser Sheikh signed MOU with Pearson to introduce Pearson vocational
qualifications in TEVTA Punjab centres, he said.
The Federal Minister said this joint
initiative of British Council and Pearson not only imparts foreign qualification
to the students but also strengthen cooperation among the countries.
The Federal Minister also presented
awards and certificates to the high achievers.
