Source: Dawn (08-09-2009)
Link: http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=08_09_2009_002_010
Literacy day today but education not on government priority list
Public expenditure on education as a percentage to GDP is lowest. The trend of investment in education in terms of GDP has been 2.50 per cent and 2.47 per cent in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively and it is 2.10 per cent during 2008-09.
This year, International Literacy Day puts the spotlight on the empowering role of literacy and its importance for participation, citizenship and development. ‘Literacy and Empowerment’ is also the theme for the 2009-2010 biennium of the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012).
While the empowering role of literacy and its significance for development have been recognised worldwide, there are still 776 million illiterate adults in the world and 75 million children out of school whose rights and needs remain unfulfilled. Literacy, in fact, is by far the most neglected goal on the Education for All (EFA) agenda.
It is a recognized fact that the implementation of all education reforms and plan of actions for EFA involve huge financial resources which put heavy burden on countries such as
According to Pakistan Social and Living Measurement (PSLM) Survey for 2007-08, the overall literacy rate (age 10 years and above) is 56 per cent (69 per cent for male and 44 per cent for female). When analyzed provincially, literacy rate in
Among the major thrust areas of education sector reforms is the quality of education for which various strategies have been evolved and implemented. Almost all teachers have required academic and professional qualifications. Pupil-teacher ratio has increased at primary level but decreased at secondary level during the last five years. Public expenditure on education in real terms has increased threefold, according to ‘Education for All, MidDecade Assessment Country report on
The report says in terms of percentages, figures are not higher due to increase in the base of GDP. Public expenditure on education as percentage of GNP has been doubled. It says the public expenditure per pupil at both primary and secondary level has registered a substantial increase as well. A nation wide Programme has been launched to address the missing facilities in schools such as drinking water, electricity, toilets and boundary walls.
It says national investment in education sector has witnessed threefold increases in absolute terms since 2001-02. With the rapidly widening of GDP base though the increase in terms of GDP contribution appears smaller but the increase in real terms is substantial.
Source: The News
Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=197308
USAID to resume School Hygiene Programme
September 08, 2009
Our correspondent
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Education Department, Khairpur, plans to resume the School Hygiene Promotion Programme (SHPP) activities of Pakistan Safe Drinking Water & Hygiene Promotion Project (PSDW-HPP) during the current academic session.
According to details, 2,700 to 3,000 schoolchildren would benefit from the PSDW-HPP during the current academic year 2009-10. The activities will include the distribution of soap slickers and demonstrations of germ glow machines to communicate a healthful message to children and parents In a press release issued Monday, Amanullah Bhayo, Executive District Officer Education of the project area, appreciated the efforts of USAID for the successful implementation of PSDW-HPP. He said the project had been successfully executed in March 2009 but in order to enhance the value of hygiene promotion activities, it would be resumed for the next academic session.
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