Islamabad: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, met with a high-powered delegation led by former Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik. The meeting underscored Pakistan’s commitment to addressing educational challenges, particularly in the context of girls’ education and climate change.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the meeting was also attended by Secretary Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani and former Oslo Parliament member Aamir Javed Sheikh. Siddiqui highlighted Pakistan’s leadership role among Islamic countries in tackling educational issues, emphasizing efforts to combat the challenges posed by climate change. He noted the government has declared an educational emergency, mobilizing resources to address access to schools, infrastructure, teacher training, and child nutrition.

Bondevik praised Pakistan’s efforts in hosting the International Conference on Girl’s Education, acknowledging the country’s potential to manage its resources effectively to overcome educational barriers. He commended the Education Ministry’s initiatives in promoting girls’ education and addressing strategic challenges.

Secretary Education Wani outlined new strategies, including a special pink bus program to improve school access for female students in Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad, and a School Meals Program to address children’s nutrition. He discussed the ministry’s comprehensive approach to revamping the education sector, which includes effective disaster management and the establishment of a special task force under the Prime Minister’s leadership.