Daily Times

Sir: Education and knowledge play a key role in accelerating the growth of a nation and in its economy. However, in most developing nations like Pakistan the literacy rate, an important measure of education, is quite low. In the latest economic survey of Pakistan, the literacy rate of Punjab — 61 percent, Sindh — 56 percent, KPK — 53 percent, Balochistan — 43 percent, making overall domain 58 percent and due to which Pakistan stands 160th among other countries by U.N in the report of 2010. The 58 percent means that almost half of Pakistan’s population is illiterate, resulting in less contribution to the expansion of economy because a major role played in the development of a country is of education.

The government of Pakistan in the past brought many education policies and reforms to advance the education sector and to attain 100 percent literacy rate. However, the result was not fruitful.

In order to thrive in this rapid industrialisation and technological dominant world, Pakistan’s government has to improve its strategy in eradicating the illiteracy, as the continual rise in population and poverty, both of which continue to have a significant negative impact on the country’s literacy rate.

HAMZA HANIF

Karachi