960402

'Govt determined

to double

literacy rate'

ISLAMABAD: The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the government was determined to double the existing literacy rate and to improve the standard of education in the country.

He was talking to a group of students, who met him here this morning, says a handout.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that basic education was not only the right of every citizen but a vital factor in developing the over-all economic scenario, leading to better quality of life.

The government, he said, was fully alive to this reality and allocating maximum funds, for opening new schools, in the country, particularly in the rural areas.

He, however, stressed the need for active participation of private sector to provide quality education to the people. The minister deplored that in past 48 years this vital sector was badly, ignored.

The minister while, pointing out to the deterioration in the standard of education, said that lack of direction and absence of coherent education policy was the main reason. He advised the students to equip themselves with modern education, so that they could shoulder the future responsibilities with great confidence and dedication.-APP