There is a need for introducing and strengthening learning opportunities for rural youth: Minister

Islamabad, February 10, 2014 (PPI-OT): Minister of State for Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education, Eng Baligh ur Rehman on Monday said there is a need for introducing and strengthening learning opportunities for rural youth that have strong linkages with the rural economy in order to bring the youth in these areas in the mainstream economic life.

“It will be possible only through investment in our youth in terms of education and training that can transform the youth bulge into an asset for nation,” he said on the Launching Ceremony of Green Skills – Training and Livelihood Program for Rural Youth.

He said majority of our young population lives in the rural areas with poor access to quality education and training facilities, “We need to draw upon their energy, development creativity and skills to create positive change in society,” he added.

The Government of Pakistan has initiated a sustained and determined effort for social capital development of the country aiming at an integrated approach to ensure that all children are in schools and learning well through the formal sector as well as non formal programs. “We have prepared a National Plan of Action to ensure that the cherished goal of universal primary education is achieved without any further delay and we plan to enroll 5 million children during 2013-14 to 2015-16 and ensure retention of all children in schools till the completion of primary schooling.”

The government is committed for promotion of programs for development of skills for livelihoods through its demand oriented and market oriented technical and vocational training programs. The focus is on providing a second chance to the youth out of the literacy loop to learn livelihood skills.

The Minister said at the Federal level, the government has taken initiative of PM’s Youth Skill Development Program which involves training of 25,000 youth during the current year. Under the Prime Minister’s Special Initiative for Hunarmand Pakistan, 13,000 youth during the current year are being imparted technical and vocational training.

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