ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Federal Education Engr Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman on Wednesday said that provision of free and compulsory education to children from age 5 to 16 years was responsibility of the government.
He stated this while attending the closing ceremony of six week long training of 20 youth members, organized here by Children's Global Network Pakistan (CGN-P) under its Parwaan Preschool Programme.
Addressing the participants, he said that according to article 25 A it was responsibility of federal and provincial governments to provide education to every child of the country.
He said, due to fiscal limitations, it was not possible for the state to provide free pre-primary education to 3 to 5 years old children.
He appreciate the efforts of Parwaan Preschool-A School Readiness Programme collaborating with the Federal Education Ministry to train educated unemployed youth in entrepreneurial and ECD pedagogical skills to open early childhood development (ECD) centers in their communities."
"The biggest quality of entrepreneurs is that he/she consider that they have no asset and this is what keeps the entrepreneurs going to find a way", he added.
Ms. Mehnaz Aziz Chief Executive and Founding Director Children's Global Network Pakistan in her welcome address explaining the program, commended the efforts of trainees who have already opened their ECD centers and enrolled children.
She said that the programme would be expanded to 30 districts and would train 6000 entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs Shagufta and Zobia Zar also shared their training experience commending the innovation in the training and the motto of learning by actually doing.
"The training has taught me the significance and benefits of early childhood development (ECD) and the techniques to start and handle one's own business which will be vital in the establishment of my ECD center," entrepreneur Shagufta said.
Zobia Zar said that Parwaan had given her the opportunity to be independent in a professional capacity and contribute to Pakistan by working for ECD.
The Chief Guest also distributed certificates among the trainees certifying them to run their ECD centers in their respective communities.
Parwaan Preschool Programme, implemented in collaboration with Ilm Ideas 2, currently being implemented in five districts- Khushab, Bahawalpur, Kohat, Charsadda and ICT caters to the early year's education and development needs of poor and marginalized children of age 3-5 years and building capacities of youth entrepreneurs to open up ECD centers in their respective communities.
The closing ceremony was attended among others by senior government officials, important community figures, local body representatives and community members.
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