Federal government to establish special skills universities across the country

Federal government to establish special skills universities across the country

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Education and Technical Training Mr. Shafqat Mahmood has revealed PTI government plans for establishing special skills universities across the country.

He was called on by World Bank (WB) Country Director (CD) Patchamuthu Illangovan today in Islamabad. The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary Education, Mr. Arshad Mirza.

Education Minister welcomed the country director, World Bank and his delegation and said that Pakistan is currently facing various challenges in Education sector and that the Government is fully committed to resolve these challenges. “We would very much appreciate the support of World Bank in this regard”, added the minister.

Mr. Shafqat Mahmood said that among the various challenges are the out of school children, different streams or systems of education that are Private Schools, Government Schools and then Religious Schools or Madrassah.

There is also the challenge of providing Quality Education and removing discrimination in education system and last but not the least is a challenge of Skill development. "We are working on making a comprehensive education policy that will address these challenges, will ensure quality education and will provide level playing field and equal opportunities to everyone", added the federal minister for Education and Technical Training.

“We will also introduce special program for street children and introducing one standard curriculum for entire country that have core compulsory subjects taught throughout the country is also on our agenda”, added Shafqat Mahmood. The education minister said that we may also replicate some of the reforms that were introduced in the Education sector in KPK and had positive results. He further said that although most powers and functions of Education Ministry after 18th amendment have devolved to provinces but still the Federal Education Ministry will try to take a lead role in introducing positive changes.

The Federal Minister informed the CD World Bank that the Federal Education Ministry will also be reorganized in such a way that will be reflective of our priorities in education sector. The honorable education minister further said that our main focus will also be on the Skill development and human development.Vocational and Technical training is must and we are in the process of setting up Skill Universities and we are in close liaison with all the chambers of commerce and other stakeholders in this regard, minister added. The Minister also suggested that the World Bank should provide support to Pakistan on Skill Development in Pakistan.