Federal Minister for Education & Professional Training Muhammad Yousaf Sheikh on Friday said that the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) should be declared as primary and sole agency of Non-Formal Education (NFE). The federal minister on his maiden visit to the National Training Institute (NTI) of NCHD on Friday appreciated the establishment of NTI and remarked that training in NFE has been neglected in a part of our society and it is a welcome and considerable step that NCHD has established the first NTI for NFE and literacy. “Education plays an essential role in improving the lives of individuals by enabling economic security, good health and enriches societies by building human capital, fostering cultural identity, tolerance and promoting civic participation,” Yousaf Sheikh said, adding that it is also our religious duty to learn, as per the teachings of Holy Prophet (PBUH). “The training by master trainers in NTI will enable us to make valuable addition to enhancement of literacy, skill development and empowerment of neglected section of society especially women,” he said. He said keeping in view all the circumstances we should focus on languages and mathematics. Vocational and technical skills should also be a part of this curriculum along with contents covering mother and child health care, up-bringing and character building, social values, roles and responsibilities towards building a nation and especially our history, he suggested. After finalising the curriculum guiding principles should also be developed for delivery of these topics to learners, he added. There should be a strong mechanism for the assessment of learning mile stones, which will be required for the certification and accreditation purpose, this revised curriculum should be complete resource pack covering all the aspects, he said. The minister appreciated the working of NTI experts and role of NCHD for the promotion of literacy and NFE. NCHD Chairperson and former senator Razina Alam Khan while briefing the minister regarding revision of Literacy Curriculum by NTI experts and other stakeholders said that, “We can create a ripple effect if we ensure that children have access to quality education that is rooted in gender equality. Published in Daily Times, August 11th 2018.