Punjab Study

LAHORE:09 September: International Literacy Day was marked in the city on Saturday with a resolve to bring change in society by improving literacy rate.
A number of events were held throughout the city to commemorate the day, which was themed ‘Literacy and Peace’ this year.
The events included rallies, seminars and conferences. An awareness walk was also arranged on The Mall in which school students, who were carrying placards and banners, shouted slogans in favour of spreading literacy.
The Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Department (LNFBE) organised a seminar, titled ‘ Literacy and Peace’, at Children’s Library Complex.
Justice (r) Khalilur Rehman presided over the session while Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman was chief guest. A large number of people, including government officers, teachers, students and representatives of national and international NGOs, attended the seminar.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the “fight against ignorance and illiteracy” called for a collective effort on part of all segments society. He said that Punjab was the only province where a separate Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Department has been established. He said that the government was working hard to achieve 88 percent literacy rate until 2015 in order to fulfil the international commitment under Millennium Development Goals.
The minister said that the government was aware of its responsibility of developing education sector by providing the basic education.
Literacy Department Secretary Pervaiz Ahmad Khan said his department and LNFBE were making all-out efforts to improve literacy rate in Punjab. He added the department had initiated a project worth Rs 2.3 billion for promotion of literacy in the province. “Through this project, about 6,000 Non-Formal Basic Education Schools will be set up for children,” the secretary said.
He said that the department was also working to establish more than 1,000 community learning centres for adults where they would be taught various skills along with basic education.
“It has been planned to impart primary education to about 200,000 children whereas 300,000 adults will also be given training in various skills/technical education,”
he added.
Justice (r) Khalilur Rehman said that a concrete legislation for achieving the objective of ‘Education for All’ would be a big step forward.
“I hope my parleys and dialogue with leaders, representatives from different departments, NGOs, clerics and private sector, which are working to spread education, inspire us all to keep marching with a renewed commitment to make education in this field for all,” he said.Dawn.