President Alvi Calls for Enrollment of 26 Million Out-Of-School Children

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training marked World Education Day at the National Library on Wednesday, focusing on this year’s theme, “learning for lasting peace.”

President Dr. Arif Alvi, the chief guest, emphasized the need to enroll approximately 26 million out-of-school children in the country. He proposed urgent measures, including declaring an education emergency, implementing double shifts in educational institutions, and utilizing mosques for teaching purposes. The President also suggested creating a mechanism to involve recent graduates and intermediate students in teaching out-of-school children, offering them a stipend.

Various organizations set up stalls at the venue, and President Alvi visited the BECS stall. DG Niazi briefed him on ongoing and planned programs to enroll out-of-school children, highlighting the enrollment of more than 12,000 children in Islamabad. Dr. Alvi commended BECS for its efforts and encouraged more initiatives of a similar nature.

The event was attended by Federal Education Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Director General of Basic Education and Community Schools (BECS) Hameed Khan Niazi, Director General of Pakistan Institute of Education Dr. Muhammad Shahid Saroya, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Bakhtawari, head of Allahwala Trust Shahid Anwar, and representatives from USAID, UNICEF, UNESCO, and JAICA.