Lahore, August 22, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Department of School Education has launched the 2023 Special Enrollment Campaign, aimed at boosting student enrollment. The inauguration of this campaign was officiated by Provincial Education Minister Mansoor Qadir. The enrollment drive is scheduled to run until October 31. The opening ceremony saw the presence of numerous dignitaries including Secretary School Education Ahsan Waheed, Kunwar Dilshad (Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab), Secretary of Higher Education, representatives from donor agencies, along with teachers, students, and parents.

During the inaugural event, Provincial Minister Mansoor Qadir formally initiated the campaign by enrolling two children into the enrollment register. The children also presented the National Anthem as part of the ceremony. In his address, Minister Qadir emphasized that the School Education Department is actively providing free education to around 11.7 million children. He highlighted the shared responsibility of parents and teachers in ensuring children’s education, with teachers holding a pivotal role in rural areas.

Mansoor Qadir expressed concern over the slow pace of literacy rate growth in Pakistan, specifically in Punjab where the literacy rate stands at 66%, a figure that falls short of expectations. He pointed to the impressive 99% literacy rate in neighboring Sri Lanka as an example to aspire to. Highlighting the government’s efforts, he mentioned the distribution of free books worth 13 billion to children in Punjab and the significant budget increase for education despite limited resources. He also acknowledged promotions for deserving teachers who had long-awaited them.

Drawing from religious teachings, Minister Qadir emphasized the significance of education and learning as directed by Allah and the Messenger of Allah. He urged that the enrollment campaign should be approached as a mission, with the goal of achieving 100% enrollment by October 31. While noting the abundance of school facilities, he lamented the country’s lagging literacy rate compared to neighboring nations.

Minister Qadir stressed the importance of girls’ education in creating a better society and called for special attention to be given to teachers’ training, as they also hold the responsibility of teaching children about societal roles.

Secretary of School Education Ahsan Waheed also addressed the gathering. He highlighted the sluggish growth of the literacy rate in Pakistan, which had increased from 58% in 2014 to just 62% in the following seven to eight years. The proliferation of private schools raised concerns about the quality of education in government institutions. Ahsan Waheed underlined the need for a robust enrollment campaign to bring the 7.3 million out-of-school children in Punjab back into the education system. Secretary Schools said that schools for transgenders have been established in nine divisional headquarters of Punjab.

For more information, contact:

Directorate General Public Relations,

Government of the Punjab

Lahore, Pakistan

Tel: +92-42-9201390-86

Website: www.punjab.gov.pk