Ministry of Education Unite with Youth to Co-Create the Future of Learning
ISLAMABAD, To Marked the eve of International Day of Education, UNESCO and the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT) transformed a traditional celebration into a dynamic forum for reform at Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG). Under the global theme, “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education,” the event moved students from the sidelines to the drafting table of national educational policy.
The ceremony began with a powerful display of inclusivity: the national anthem performed in sign language by students from the National Special Education Center for Hearing Impaired Children (HIC). This set the stage for a day of high-level addresses followed by a “raw and unfiltered” open dialogue, where students directly challenged leaders on the impact of Artificial Intelligence, systemic inequality and the global standing of the Pakistani curriculum.
A Matter of Life and Death
Addressing a packed assembly of students, educators, and officials, UNESCO Representative, Fuad Pashayev delivered a motivational call to action, “The education emergency cannot be solved with policy alone … youth are not just the future; they are the present. Your voices and ideas matter today.” He particularly lauded the creation of inclusive spaces where young women are empowered to lead the national conversation.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Wajiha Qamar, reinforced this urgency by echoing Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of education as a “matter of life and death” for the nation. “Education is not a privilege; it is the most powerful investment a country can make,” she stated. Highlighting the rapid digital transformation in Pakistan, the Minister noted that schools which once struggled to maintain “four walls” are now being equipped with smartboards and tablets, bridging the gap between traditional learning and the digital age.
The Youth Dialogue: Beyond the Classroom
The centerpiece of the day was an interactive session between the students and experts, including Mr. Zafar Malik (Head of Education, UNESCO), Mr. Syed Junaid Ikhlaq (Director General, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE)), Ms. Riffat Jabeen (Director Academics, FDE) and Dr. Zafar Qadir (Chairman, Taaleem Foundation). The dialogue titled, “Shaping tomorrow: Youth in Action for Better Education”, tackled several critical issues, including:
Brain Drain: Responding to why students often look abroad, the panel highlighted ongoing efforts to make the local curriculum market relevant but also acknowledged the motivation for students to look outward, “Go abroad to learn but come back to make Pakistan better”.
Civic Duty: In response to the Prime Minister’s declared education emergency, the “Each One Teaches One” initiative was championed as a vital way for youth to volunteer and mentor out-of-school children.
Technology: Students were encouraged to view AI as an “assistant, not a master,” focusing on human-centric learning while mastering emerging tech to make informed career choices.
A New Litmus Test for Policy
The event concluded with a commitment from the Ministry regarding Pakistan’s educational governance. Every proposed policy must answer a simple question, “Does this improve learning for the child in the classroom?” If the answer is yes, we are on the right path.”
About UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized UN agency that provides technical support to the Government of Pakistan by setting global norms and standards, developing tools for international cooperation, producing knowledge for public policies and building global networks of sites and institutions inscribed on its lists. UNESCO observes January 24th annually, as the International Day of Education with government partners to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education, making learning a strong tool to combat conflict and inequality.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
