Islamabad: During the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Development at Allama Iqbal Open University, Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the critical role of enhancing the literacy rate to foster national development and prosperity.

According to Press Information Department, Professor Ahsan Iqbal pointed out the alarming literacy statistics revealed by the 7th Digital Census-2023, which shows Pakistan’s literacy rate at approximately 61 percent. He underscored the necessity of boosting this rate to at least 90 percent, the benchmark associated with global progress, to better equip the nation’s youth for the demands of the digital age and ongoing innovations in all fields.

The minister stressed the importance of investing in human resources as pivotal to real progress, reflecting on the historical contributions of Muslims in science and research. The newly inaugurated Center of Excellence is expected to play a vital role in advancing research, training, and best practices in early childhood education. It aims to foster collaboration among educators, researchers, and policymakers to develop innovative, professional, and strategic approaches to learning, particularly focusing on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving from an early age.

The event was well-attended by notable figures including Chairman 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 senior officials from related stakeholder organizations.