#Pakistan - In Balochistan 1.5 children don’t go to school, says Social Welfare Deptt

By: Rafiullah Mandokhail

In order to achieve the objectives of International Literacy Day, Social Welfare Literacy and Non-formal Education department organized a seminar at Model high school to mark the day in a befitting and graceful manner here. A large number of people from different walks of life including educationists, teachers, civil society members, journalists and students attended the seminar.

Addressing on the occasion Principal of the school Habib-ur-Rehman Mandokhail, DDO Education Payo Muhammad Mandokhail, Social Welfare Officer Abdul Rahim Mardanzai, General Manager National Commission for Human Development Abdul Razzaq Kakar and Coordinator Education Support Program Razziq Jan Kakar said that celebrating the Day is aimed at highlighting the importance of literacy. They said literacy was the key to success and without education no progress is possible.

“The country’s overall literacy rate is 58 percent, while in Balochistan one million children out of 2.5 million children are going to school,” adding the department has established several literacy centers in Zhob to promote education in the district. They said.

On the occasion students delivered speeches and presented national songs.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare department Sherani also held a walk to mark the International Literacy Day in a far-flung hilly area. Social Welfare Officer Malik Ehsan-ul-Haq Mandokhail led the walk held in Killi Khankei Zareef Sherani.

The participants of the walk including Sharif Sherani, Hayatullah, Gul Hassan Sherani and Abdul Karim Sherani were carrying banner inscribed with slogan. They shed light on the importance of literacy and vowed to join in a struggle for the promotion of education.

“Progress in any sector is impossible without education. Development, prosperity and achievement of rights are linked to education,” they emphasized.