Political parties pledge to provide quality education
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Seventeen representatives from various political parties here on Tuesday unanimously resolved to work for the provision of free, compulsory and quality education to every citizen of the country.
The "All Parties Conference on Education for All in Pakistan" was jointly organized by the Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The key issues where the leadership of these political parties agreed included, free and quality education at primary level, introduction of uniform educational system and increase in the annual GDP for the education sector.
Taking part in the discussion, PML General Secretary Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed emphasised that out of eight points included in Tuesday's joint declaration, five had already been incorporated in the PML's manifesto. Explaining his party ideals, he said that education was his party's number one priority along with prime focus on female enrollment, teachers' training, network of public libraries and educational scholarships. He said access to free education is the right of every native of this land which should be upheld by all the political parties.
Mushahid said that the party would work to establish National Foundation, which would be funded by the federal government and comprised of educated elite. He expressed the hope that future governments would work to achieve these targets. Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi Chairman PPP Punjab chapter, said " to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, we have to speed up our pace in the education reform programmes". He lamented that lack of political will which was required to provide free and compulsory education, had never been given any heed by the previous governments.
Makhdoom said people of the country were interested in the implementation of these goals and stressed for drastic change in the institutional outlook. Expressing his party's resolve he said "PPP is committed to fighting all the social evils including education which it considers as prime mover for sustainable development." Chairman PML-N Raja Zafarul Haq stressed for sensitization of political parties over the basic issue of education for all. He pointed out that major chunk of the funds in the education sector were returned back without being properly utilized.
He termed it 'a big snag in the development of education sector". Counting his party's contribution for promotion of education he said the Social Action programme envisaged during their government was an attempt to eradicate illiteracy in the country by enhancing the budgetary allocations. Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi of MQM said in the past hardly any attention was paid to this sector. He stressed for removal of dual education system causing dichotomy among the society.
"The simultaneous functioning of these education systems were only benefiting the elite class at the expense of poor segments of society," he added. He said the allocation of meager 2.4 per cent of the GDP for the development of the education was not enough. Senator from PPP-Sherpao and former federal minister for education Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli briefed the participants about the steps taken by previous government. She defended the former PML government's stance that allocation for this sector had seen tremendous surge for the last eight years.
"It cannot be over-emphasised that education is key to sustainable development and the next government should carry out the reform agenda launched during her tenure," she added. She said efforts were made to introduce a uniform educational system in the country with active involvement of three tiers of the government.
Central Secretary General Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Arif Alvi said that if proper education system is pursued the over population issue can be tackled amicably.
He cited examples of China and India which despite facing population explosion issues successfully achieved success in other key social issues.
Central Additional General Secretary of Awami National Party Haji Mohammad Adeel said his party was a strong advocate for the promotion of education.
He said under Bacha Khan Foundation in the NWFP, a system of independent Madressah would be reintroduced.
Naib Amir of Jammat-e-Islami Senator Professor Ibrahim and Central Information Secretary Jamiat Ulema e Islam-F Maulana Amja Khan defended the performance of MMA-led provincial government's steps for the promotion of education across the province.
Senator Ibrahim said a directorate of education and Hira schools network was working under the auspices of JI.
He disagreed with the point that handing over of education system to Local governments was not yielding positive results.
Maulana Amjad said that Maktabs and Madressah across were working efficiently.
Acting President of Balochistan National Party (M) Dr Jahanzeb Jamaldini, Secretary General Jamhoori Watan Party Senator Agha Shahid Bugti, Nasir Jamil Hashmi of JUI-N, Markazi Amir of Jamiat e Ahl e Hadeeth Allama Sajid Mir, President of National Party Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch, Senior Deputy Chairman Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Senator Abdur Rahim Mandokhel and other representatives of regional parties also expressed their views.
They stressed for non-parochial approach while executing education development programmes.
They called for focussing more on rural and backward areas of the country located in NWFP and Balochistan.
UNESCO Director in Pakistan Jorge Sequeira appreciated the spirit shown by the political representatives for the achievement of education for all programme.
At the end of APC, a joint declaration was signed by the participants. The joint declaration comprised of eight points indicate that the political parties would work for increase in government funding for the education sector, 10 per cent allocation from annual budget, ensuring provision of complete free and compulsory primary education, achievement of gender quality in primary and secondary education, continuity in non-formal basic education, eradicating political interference, ensure increase in capacity of the education system and introduction of uniform curriculum and similar facilities.
Executive Director PILDAT Ahmed Bilal Mehbood and a number of political representatives were also present on the occasion.