Islamabad: In a significant development aimed at bolstering early childhood education, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the critical need to improve literacy rates to better compete in the digital age. This statement was made at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Education at Allama Iqbal Open University.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Minister Iqbal highlighted the essential role of human resource development in achieving substantial progress and recalled the historical contributions of Muslims in science and research. He underscored the importance of the new center, citing international research that demonstrates the crucial impact of early childhood education on long-term development.
During his address, the Minister stressed the importance of nurturing skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving from an early age. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including Chairman of the Rupani Foundation Nasruddin Rupani, UNICEF Representative Joshua Kakaire, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University Dr. Nasir Mehmood, and Dr. Muhammad Athar Hussain, Chairman of the Department of Early Childhood Education, along with other senior officials.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip future generations with the tools necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.