The Government of Pakistan, through the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT) and the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), in collaboration with UNESCO in Pakistan launched the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) Midterm Review (MTR) Report at Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad on Tuesday. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan’s progress, challenges, and the path forward in ensuring quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all by 2030. The event marked a significant milestone with the official launch of the SDG-4 MTR Report, led by Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. In his address as the chief guest, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, emphasized the need for greater investment and enhanced governance in the education sector. He highlighted the significance of the SDG-4 MTR report, which offers concrete recommendations to improve education sector performance in alignment with the 2030 Education Agenda. He stressed the importance of a unified, data-driven approach to bridging regional disparities and accelerating progress towards SDG-4. The Minister also underscored the critical role of a knowledge economy in driving sustainable development, innovation, and global competitiveness, emphasizing that a well-educated workforce is fundamental to economic growth and national prosperity. While addressing at the SDGs Mid-Term Review Report ceremony, highlighting critical issues in Pakistan’s education system and the necessary reforms for national progress the Minister emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without focusing on education. He stressed the need to raise Pakistan’s literacy rate to 90% to foster growth and progress. He also pointed out the concerning state of primary education, with around 25 million children out of school, and the lack of emphasis on cognitive development in the current curriculum. The Minister noted that Pakistan's higher education enrollment rate is only 13%, far behind countries like India (30%), Bangladesh (35%), and China (60%). He called for bridging this gap to ensure future progress. Regarding funding, Iqbal acknowledged that the education budget has been reduced to just 1.5% of GDP since 2019, but emphasized ongoing efforts to increase this since 2022. He urged both federal and provincial governments to allocate more resources to education. He highlighted the “URAAN Pakistan” initiative, which places education as a national priority, aiming for substantial improvements by 2047. The Minister also emphasized the importance of policy continuity for sustainable development, noting that Pakistan’s future depends on peace, stability, and consistent policy implementation. He criticized the failure of previous visions like Vision 2010 and Vision 2025 and called for long-term strategies moving forward. Minister Ahsan Iqbal also addressed Pakistan's health challenges, particularly hepatitis, diabetes, and polio, calling for urgent action. He reassured the public that every child will be enrolled in school within five years, with a focus on 100% primary school enrollment. Looking ahead, the Minister outlined plans for educational reforms, including curriculum updates, teacher training, and examination improvements. He announced plans to establish South Asia's best teacher training institution in Islamabad and emphasized the need for standardized exams across provinces. In his closing remarks the Minister for Planning reiterated that educational reforms are crucial for Pakistan’s development and future prosperity. He also underscored the importance of collective efforts in implementing the MTR recommendations to drive meaningful transformation in Pakistan’s education sector. Mr. Kar Hung Antony Tam, Officering-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Pakistan in his remarked with steadfast commitment to bolstering Pakistan’s education sector by aligning national policies with global standards. As UNESCO being the custodian of SDG-4, he emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to accelerate progress of achieving SDG-4, close the gaps, and ensure that no child is left behind. ******** ?
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