26 million children out of school is a major challenge, immediate implementation of Article 25-A needed, Dr. Abdul Salam
On International Literacy Day, a literacy walk was organized in Islamabad, demanding that education be declared a real emergency
Islamabad (BBC Report) On the occasion of International Literacy Day, a literacy walk was held in Islamabad under the auspices of the SOS Foundation, led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdul Salam. Social activists Zufishan Naeem, Saima Khan, Nauman Shakir, Sardar Zubair, Junior Jinnah Trust Program Officer Nauman Iftikhar, along with students, teachers, social workers, and individuals from various walks of life participated enthusiastically. The walk started from F-6 Markaz and concluded at the National Press Club Islamabad. Participants chanted slogans in favor of the right to education, promoting literacy, and including out-of-school children in the educational system, while demanding immediate practical measures from the government through banners and placards containing various demands. Speaking on the occasion, CEO of SOS Foundation Dr. Abdul Salam stated that the fact that 26 million children are out of school in Pakistan is an extremely serious national challenge that requires not just announcements but solid, sustainable, and emergency measures to address it. He emphasized that effective implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan should be ensured in accordance with its spirit, and that Pakistan must fulfill its education-related commitments made with the international community under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG-4. Dr. Abdul Salam noted that a large number of out-of-school children are victims of child labor, while in many areas there is a severe shortage of schools and trained teachers compared to the number of children. The government should declare education a real emergency, allocate the necessary financial resources for this purpose, and prepare a large number of trained human resources. He warned that if Pakistan does not address the issue of 26 million out-of-school children today, these children could become the foundation of 26 million illiterate and unskilled families tomorrow. Illiterate and unskilled youth not only miss out on economic opportunities but also become easy targets for illegal activities and crime. He stated that ensuring every child reaches school is not just an education issue but a matter of Pakistan’s future, economy, peace, and social stability. The government, private sector, civil society, educational institutions, and the public must work together to tackle this national challenge. Participants of the walk expressed their commitment that no child in Pakistan should be deprived of education and that collective efforts will continue to ensure 100% provision of quality education to all children in the country.