Education is an important factor in human progress & the basic right of every citizen of Pakistan: President Alvi

ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to raise the literacy rate by providing school access to all children.

In his message on the International Day of Education observed on Tuesday, President Dr. Arif Alvi said that education is an important factor in human progress and the basic right of every citizen of Pakistan. It is considered to be closely related to the economic and social development of a country, he said.

President Dr. Arif Alvi said that without substantial investment in human resources, no country can achieve sustainable economic development. The literacy rate is an important indicator to measure the level of education. Its consolidation has a profound impact on other important indicators of prosperity. Education in a broader sense improves the capabilities of individuals and the capacity of institutions and becomes a catalyst for the closely interrelated economic, social, cultural, and demographic changes and national development, he said.

He said that education is a powerful driver of development, and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability. It delivers large, consistent returns in terms of income, and is the most important factor to ensure equality and inclusion. For individuals, education promotes employment, earnings, health, and poverty reduction. For societies, it drives long-term economic growth, spurs innovation, strengthens institutions, and fosters social cohesion. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned the education system of Pakistan as the driving force behind all the national goals, he said.

President Dr. Arif Alvi said that in the first National Education Conference held in Karachi, it was decided that the education system would work according to the national aspirations of Pakistan and it would be truly related to the needs of the people of Pakistan. Presently, the younger generation is uncertain about their future and many of them are leaving Pakistan for a brighter and more prosperous future in developed countries. We need to impart them with marketable education and provide them equal opportunities to excel in their career. We should also focus on the enrolment of out-of-school children, he said.

President Dr. Arif Alvi said that on this day, Pakistan vows to raise the literacy rate in compliance with the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development by providing school access to all children and improving the education system by providing marketable skills to youth and enabling them to earn a respectable livelihood with modern technology.