ISLAMABAD, July 27: Education is the route to enlightenment and prosperity for individuals as well as nations. No society can dream of development if substantial portion of its population is illiterate and considerable ratios of its children are not in school.

This was stated by chairperson, National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), MNA Dr Nafisa Shah during national dialogue aimed at involving political parties to ensure right to education after the inclusion of Article 25-A in 18th Amendment which made free education to the children between five and sixteen compulsory.

Politicians belonging to different parties include Pir Mazharul Haq, Haji Adeel, Dr Azra Fazal, Taj Haider, Rozina Alam, Akram Zaki, Mohammad Malik, Aasia Nasir and Major General (retired) Mohammad Tahir participated in the dialogue.

Dr Nafisa Shah also highlighted the fruits the passage of 18th amendment brought to the nation.

She said steps were still to be taken to implement the Article 25-A in letter and spirit.

She added now it is a challenge for the State to fulfill their commitment by taking appropriate measures and passing the necessary legislation for implementation for the article to provide free and compulsory education to all the children up to sixteen years of age. Pir Mazhar-ul-haq, senior minister in Sindh cabinet, recommended that education should be government’s priority. Gender specific syllabus should be prepared and skill-based education introduced and strengthened.

He said: “Government schools used to provide better education and my children and I have studied from government schools.”

He said the policy should be made to instruct government officials to ensure that their children would get the education from government schools which will bring change in the total educational system.