AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, July 01, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday lauded the government to focus on promotion of education which is imperative for social and economic development.
It called for revival of thousands of ghost schools which are damaging generation and draining public exchequer.
The former government neglected education which has taken toll on economy and society therefore the incumbent government should pay special attention to the education, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.
Talking to business community, she said that taxing education should be reconsidered as its implications may not be in the national interest. It will hit students, parents, teachers, researchers and private institutions while placing public universities in difficult financial position.
Farida Rashid said that serious steps are needed for raising the standards of education after a detailed valuation which must include de-ghosting of thousands of primary schools closed since decades.
She said that government should discourage construction of schools for making money, or to be used as cattle pens, fodder storage centres and guest houses of the influential.
Gamblers, smugglers, hardened criminals and drug addicts should not be allowed to use schools for their activities, she demanded.
Farida Rashid said that teachers of ghost schools have been bribing bosses to ensure uninterrupted payment of salaries. Names of teachers of ghost schools, their supporters, funding and inspections has remained a secret which must be made public.
Rulers as well as concerned departments lack motivation to improve situation which has left Pakistan second on the global list of most out of school children. Pakistan ranks 113 out of 120 countries on the Education Development Index which exposes claims of the concerned authorities, she informed.
A fresh census for street children may act as eye-opener as presently it is believed that 25 million children, an untapped human resource and a potential threat to threat to peace, are out of school.
Education should be delivered to all, especially in the worst performing provinces of Balochistan and Sindh and all those should be made accountable who are pushing generations to illiteracy, poverty, crimes, and terrorism for personal gains, she demanded.
For more information, contact:
Samina Fazil
President
Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mobile: +92323 5343199
Tel: +9251 2252256