Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Secretary, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani on Monday highlighted the crucial role of Information Technology (IT) and digitalization in achieving progress and development in the current era.
\nSpeaking at the National Launching Workshop for \u201cInternet Dost and Internet Zabardast,\u201d organized by the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) with support from Google.org, Wani underscored that accurate data collection regarding out-of-school children, educational facilities, and health services was unattainable without relying on IT.
\nThe secretary said that the ministry had decided to establish state-of-the-art IT labs in schools in the federal capital to equip youth with the latest skills and increase their employment opportunities.
\nHe said that schools in the federal capital had been upgraded, providing students with the best facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are committed to providing the best educational facilities to students in government schools,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cOur commitment extends beyond the classroom; it\u2019s about creating an ecosystem where every child receives an education that prepares them for the challenges of the modern world. The goal is to erase disparities between government and private education standards,\u201d he added.
\nHe asserted that with determination, every challenge could be managed, and the government was dedicated to providing top-quality education in government schools.<\/p>\n
The secretary also said that, alongside academic improvements, gym and sports facilities, as well as self-defense classes, would be provided to the students.
\nHe said, the federal government had launched an initiative to provide free lunch meals to primary students in government schools in Islamabad to enhance child growth and encourage schooling.
\nIn the first phase, about forty elementary schools will receive healthy, quality, and hygienic free meals.<\/p>\n
CEO of the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Dr. Rashid Bajwa, highlighted that the \u201cInternet Dost, Internet Zabardast\u201d initiative would cover 48 districts across all four provinces\u2014Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Baluchistan\u2014as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federal Capital Islamabad by July 2025.
\nThe initiative will directly benefit over 103,500 underserved women, youth, parents, teachers, and children, aiming to bridge the digital gap and address gender and geographical disparities.<\/p>\n
Dr. Bajwa emphasized the government\u2019s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of internet users, particularly the youth.
\nHe noted that Google had introduced the \u201cSafe Internet\u201d concept in Pakistan, focusing on students and children.
\n\u201cIn today\u2019s digital age, access to information and connectivity are fundamental rights that enable individuals to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world,\u201d Dr. Bajwa stated, stressing the importance of promoting digital literacy equally among educational institutions and rural communities.<\/p>\n
He highlighted the project\u2019s significance in empowering rural females and children through digital development.
\nDr. Kyle Gardner, Government Affairs and Public Policy Lead for South Asia at Google, remarked that the digital literacy initiative aligned with Pakistan\u2019s international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2025.
\n\u201cIt serves as a direct contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Promote economic growth, employment, and decent work),\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Dr. Gardner elaborated that targeted interventions and educational initiatives aimed to equip marginalized communities with the skills and knowledge to navigate the online world responsibly and safely.
\n\u201cBy promoting digital literacy in educational institutions and communities, we aim to empower our youth to harness the full potential of the internet while safeguarding their well-being,\u201d he concluded.
\nMohammad Arshad, Director General of the Ministry of Human Rights, informed participants that leveraging technology focused to unleash the immense potential of youth and entrepreneurs, positioning Pakistan as a global hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
\n \u201cInitiatives such as the \u2018Internet Dost, Internet Zabardast\u2019 project align seamlessly with our vision to leverage digital solutions for socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation, especially regarding Human Rights awareness,\u201d Arshad added.
\nMusharraf Ali Farooqi, Founder and CEO of STORYKIT, also highlighted the significance of \u201cInternet Dost, Internet Zabardast,\u201d terming it the start of a revolution for rural communities, women, youth, and children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Secretary, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani on Monday highlighted the crucial role of Information Technology (IT) and digitalization in achieving progress and development in the current era. Speaking at the National Launching Workshop for \u201cInternet Dost and Internet Zabardast,\u201d organized by the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) with support from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":408177,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-408166","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n