Daily Times

Education, unambiguously, is the first and ultimate step towards success. The literacy rate of every developed country is substantially high which attests, for development, education is not a choice it is a need. Other attributes such as industrialization and technology advancement are equally indispensable for development but the high literacy rate is the key step. There is no iota of doubt that only a well-educated community of society gives impetus to the economy, industry and tech world of country.

The woeful situation of the education system in Pakistan is not a hidden fact. The current literacy rate of the country is approximately 59 percent that means there is a still long way to go. The government and non-governmental organizations, however, are playing a laudable role in fighting the curse of illiteracy and providing education to every child in the country; why the literacy rate is still not taking any leap, that is another debate. But, are we working on providing education TO ALL? The answer is NO.

While talking about eradicating illiteracy, the young children are the focal point. It is perceived that the provision of education to out of school indigent children can alleviate the situation. It surely can, but there is another facet of the situation, and an ignored section that needs our attention, the out-of-school adults. There is a huge ratio of those, who either never attended the school or even if they did they had to quit later, due to monetary issues and other unfortunate circumstances. These unlucky grownups with unaccomplished goals now think that their time to attend school and learn has passed; consequently, they keep living the miserable life. Just imagine, if all those individuals get another chance to pursue their studies, what huge difference it will make in society. Many you must have noticed the high learning potential and intelligence of the underprivileged workers at your offices, vendors at markets and helpers at the homes. Had they given a chance to attend school in their childhood, they would have been at some better place today.

The good part is, it is still not too late for them to learn as learning has no age bar. They can surely improve their lives if they are willing to do it.

Furthermore, age does not matter if you are diligent, hardworking and determined to change your life. Such initiatives not only revamp the life of these people by allowing them to live a better life but also the overall crisis of illiteracy can dwindle.

This is the time that other organizations take a look at the bigger picture and follow the steps of this life-changing institution. Pakistan needs more people who think out of the box and make an effort to make a difference in society. Amid the socio-economic crisis, it is the need of the hour that every individual plays a part in sharing the burden and as I said earlier education is the first step and everyone must get it to make it to the next step.