President Zardari says the State shall provide free & compulsory education to all children of the age of 5 to 16 years

ISLAMABAD, Sep 07 (SABAH): President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years.

This was stated President Asif Ali Zardari in his message on the occasion of International Literacy Day being observed tomorrow (Sunday).

President Asif Ali Zardari said we celebrate the transformative power of education and literacy, the pillars of our nation’s future, on this International Literacy Day. This year’s theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” underscores the critical role of literacy in fostering unity, cultural appreciation, and peaceful coexistence. As per Article 25A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, education is a fundamental human right and “the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years”. Today, we renew our commitment to making education accessible to all, regardless of circumstances.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that recognizing the urgent challenge of illiteracy, Pakistan has declared a National Educational Emergency, aiming to enroll out-of-school children and educate 70 million adults. Under the Prime Minister’s Roshan Pakistan Literacy Drive, the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) launched the “Each One Teach One” (EOTO) Program, which calls on every literate citizen to teach at least one illiterate person.

President Asif Ali Zardari said in order to enhance literacy, the government is providing Conditional Cash Transfers up to the higher secondary level through Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for educating underprivileged children. Stipends up to Rs 4000 for boys and Rs 4500 for girls per quarter are being offered in all districts of Pakistan. He said that currently, 9.7 million children are enrolled under the programme. Furthermore, 102,000 scholarships have been given to students from low-income families to ensure that all qualified students have access to undergraduate education.

President Asif Ali Zardari said on this International Literacy Day, we need to recommit ourselves to the national cause of promoting the universal right to education. Together, we can ensure that every Pakistani has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to a more educated, inclusive, and prosperous nation. Each of us has a vital role in shaping the future of our beloved country. May our collective efforts bring about lasting peace, mutual understanding, and a brighter future for all, President Asif Ali Zardari said.