Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Mr. Shafqat Mahmood was called on by a British delegation led by Mr. Thomas Drew UK High Commissioner to Pakistan. Joanna Reid, Head of Department for International Development (DFID) and Rosemary Hilhorst, Director British Council Pakistan was in the delegation. The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary Education, Mr. Arshad Mirza. Education Minister welcomed the British delegation and said that Education is the top most priority of this government. He said that Pakistan is currently facing various challenges in Education sector and that the Government is fully committed to resolve these challenges. Shafqat Mahmood said that among the various challenges are; bringing the out of school children to schools, establishing a uniform education system and Curriculum, ensuring Quality education and working on the skill development. "We are working on making a comprehensive education policy that will address these challenges, will ensure quality education and will provide level playing field and equal opportunities to everyone", added the federal minister for Education and professional Training. He further said that a special program for street children will also be introduced. Education Minister said that although most powers and functions of Education Ministry after 18th amendment have devolved to provinces but the Federal Education Ministry will try to take a lead role in setting a direction and work in coordination with provincial governments for introducing positive changes. The Federal Minister informed the delegation that the Federal Education Ministry and its attached departments will also be organized in such a way that they will be reflective of our priorities in education sector. Education Minister informed the delegation that Prime Minister Imran Khan has set up a National Task Force on Education to address these challenges and a very fruitful first meeting of the Task Force was held yesterday. The task force is further divided into sub-groups and each group is assigned one task each to deliberate upon and give their recommendations to the minister. He further said that our main focus will also be on the Skill development and human development. Vocational and Technical training is must and we are in the process of setting up Skill Universities. The British delegation congratulated the Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training on his appointment. British High Commissioner Thomas Drew appreciated the steps the Government of Pakistan intends to take for promotion of Education and offered help and support in this regard and said that we are looking forward to work closely with the government of Pakistan for the progress and prosperity of the People of Pakistan and for promotion of education in Pakistan.He pointed out that the number of out of school children in Pakistan is a big problem and assured his all-out support. DFID Head Joanna Reid stated that education is of utmost importance to us and DFID has worked with KPK and Punjab governments in education sector. DFID will share its experiences and lesson learned with education ministry that may be helpful in bringing out of school children to schools. Rosemary Hilhorst, Director British Council Pakistan appreciated the present government for their social welfare agenda and putting education on top. She said that British Council has been working for almost 70 years now in Pakistan for the promotion of education. She assured the Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood of full support of British Council in the promotion of education in Pakistan. Both sides agreed to stay in regular contact and to hold further meetings for the promotion of education. *-*-*-*
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