950808

Literacy campaign re-launched

PM sets aside Rs 150m for

'education for all'

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Literacy campaign with the slogan education for all has been re-launched by the prime minister's literacy commission with the taking over of the commission by Parvez Saleh as Chairman.

Informally talking to the Press here on Tuesady, he said the priority before the commission is rural areas and females for the spread of literacy. He said that the prime minister has given a grant of Rs. 50 million for launching the campaign and made a commitment of Rs. 100 million following the exhaustion of the initial grant. He said funds will not be a problem as not only foreign donors but also public spirited pesons in the country are prepared to donate handsomely provided the objectives of the cause of lieratcy are met with a missionary zeal and made the commitment that the task given to him would be accomplished as a national mission. He further committed himself to bring about literacy revolution and within a short period of three months a lot of practical work would be started. The mission will be carried out with dedication, honesty of purpose and hardwork and he along with his team will lead the literacy revolution.

Talking of the mission, he said that the prime minister has pledged to double the rate of literacy by the year 2000 and to universalize primary education in the next five years. He said that primary education will be made compulsary and there will be no compromise on it and the pledge of the prime minister will be fulfilled. He said both the prime minister and the president are deeply committed to the national literacy movement.

He said the government would shortly be moving a bill in the Parliament preventing any successive government from curtailing the educational budget.

He committed himself further that the recruitment and promotion of teachers under the literacy movement will be free from political considerations and no political interference will be permitted.

Parvez Saleh said he would personally lead the social and political mobilization and he would approach the opposition leadership to lend a helping hand in this national movement. Respectable politicians would also be approached by him personally to support the movement for literacy as it is a national cause and not a political move.

He said that one aspect of the literacy campaign would be the imparting of non-formal education. Those children who dropped out of primary schools or could not get themselves enrolled mainly because of economic reasons would be given a second chance and educated through the non-formal educational system.

He said that in every village one room schools will be opened which will be provided by the local population. The commission would provide the teacher, free books, furniture and all the necessary equipment. Each child enrolled will be given five kilos of rice and wheat every month so that they do not rely on earning their livelihood or adding to the income of the family.

The teachers employed in these schools will be given a reward of Rs. 10,000 provided the enrolment did not drop below 80 percent of the enrolled students. They will also be considered for out of turn promotion.

Parvez Saleh said under the campaign persons of 10-35 years of age will be provided a second change to become educated and discharge their responsibilities as useful citizens. Those who wish to continue education will be provided facilities for secondary education.

Another feature of the scheme is to impart vocational training and job opportunities will be created for the skilled ones.

He said that Pakistan embassies are being asked to provide information about the demand for various kinds of skilled workers and the vocational training will be afforded according to the demand from abroad and within the country.

Answering a question, he said the curriculum is being revised and revamped in line with the contemporary demands. We want to give a meaningful education so that the colonial legacy is thrown away. He said that all good points of the countries where education has spread rapidly would be incorporated in the revised curriculum.

Parvez Saleh said, "I would do my utmost to eradicate illiteracy from the country as illiteracy is the core problem which if tackled properly would resolve issues in other social sectors such as health, poverty alleviation, women and child development, population planning etc."

With the re-launching of the literacy campaign, the commission which has been dormant for the last few years has been re-activated. In fact the literacy campaign was started during the martial law regime under the name of "Nae Roshni" by General Mujibur Rehman. The scheme functioned for some time but gradually decayed and went into total oblivion. Now the scheme is being revived with greater dedication to take the country into the 21st century with some pride in the educational field.