Islamabad, Madad Ali Sindhi, the Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training, underscored the crucial role of education in Pakistan’s progress during the launch of the National Reading Conference, Book Fair & Pakistan Learning Festival in Islamabad. The minister emphasized the need for a unified approach to education to foster a culture of reading and learning among the youth.

According to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the event, held on November 25, 2023, was organized in collaboration with Idara e Taleem-o-Aghai (ITA) and the National Book Foundation. The three-day festival, themed “Today’s Readers, Tomorrow’s Learners,” attracted various education stakeholders, including the Federal Minister Madad Ali Sindhi as the chief guest.

In his address, Madad Ali Sindhi stressed the importance of education for national progress and called for a renewed focus on literacy and learning. He pointed out the need to bridge the divides created by the three streams of education in Pakistan: public, private, and Madrassas. The minister emphasized his commitment to improving education quality and reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Madad Ali Sindhi shared insights from his visits to schools and colleges in Islamabad, acknowledging the challenges ahead in setting a national standard for education. He mentioned meetings with Vice Chancellors from universities across all provinces to develop a comprehensive plan to address issues in the public education sector.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the minister reiterated the commitment to stopping violence against women and providing them with equal educational opportunities. He expressed concern over the practice of young girls being forced to work instead of attending school and emphasized the government’s duty to ensure free education for all women in the country.

Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry highlighted the focus of the festival on children, schools, and families. The event featured ‘Lightning Talks’ by leading education providers, offering innovative solutions to foundational learning challenges. Renowned educationists led discussions on literacy and foundational learning, addressing key challenges and advancements in the field.