Govt committed to eradicate illiteracy by enrolling drop-outs: Shafqat Mahmood

KHYBER: Federal Minister for Education Shahfqat Mahmud on Monday said the government was committed to eradicate illiteracy by enrolling all dropped out and street children in schools by providing equal education opportunities to the underprivileged and poor segments of the society.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of special school enrollment drive in Jamrud, titled: 'Ao Bacho School Chalain' to encourage and get dropped-out children across the province.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Noorul Haq Qadri, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmud and Adviser Education Ziaullah Bangash were also present in the ceremony besides parents and officials of the education department.

He said the efforts were underway to get  800,000 children enrolled in schools of the province this year, adding that presently about 20 million children were out of school in the country.

He said many children could not continue education owing to a long distance between their homes and schools as they could not bear travelling expenses.

Mehmood further stated that the government had resolved to promote literacy across the country. He also appreciated teachers especially women who come from far-off areas to teach  children in the tribal districts, adding that they deserved to be rewarded.

After war on terrorism, the government was fighting another war against ignorance and poverty to put the country on path of progress, he maintained.