July 08, 2015
News
PM for improving quality of education, enhancing gender equality
OSLO, Norway - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said his government was determined to improve the quality of education, enhance gender equality and provide increased learning opportunities to both male and female students in Pakistan.
He made these remarks while talking to Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, who called on him here in the Norwegian capital. The prime minister said significant steps had been taken for promotion of rights of women, children and minorities, adding that efforts towards an inclusive society would continue.
He said the government was committed to increasing education spending to four per cent of the GDP. Work, he said, was underway on reconstructing about 1,000 schools destroyed by the 2005 earthquake. Regarding Malala’s bravery and steadfastness as admirable, he said this had made her a role model for millions at such a tender age. Nawaz Sharif also admired the personal interest taken by Malala in the promotion of education.
The prime minister said the government made a strong resolve to eliminate terrorism, which would help attain “our dream of providing better education to all”. The sacrifices of those who suffered at the hands of terrorists would not go in vain, he added. Now, he said, the terrorists were on the run as their sanctuaries and hideouts had been wiped out.
He once again congratulated Malala on being the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, and regarded her as the “pride of Pakistan”. Malala appreciated the steps taken by the government in improving the state of education in the country. She said education was the key to eliminating terrorism, in addition to creating increased employment opportunities for the people.
Malala said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would go a long way in bringing prosperity to people living in all parts of Pakistan; providing them with better access to education and health facilities. She said she had a dream of serving Pakistan, and do something for the underprivileged children of the country.
Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and State Minister for Education Balighur Rahman also attended the meeting.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk