The period under review witnessed a lot of activity relating to EFA on the part of the Ministry of Education, Unesco, JICA and in the two provinces of Punjab and NWFP.

The Curriculum Wing of the Ministry of Education in collaboration with ESRA has been able to finalize the National Guidelines for youth and Adult Literacy. These are expected o the launched in the near future.

The Ministry in cooperation with JICA also held a two day Workshop on non-formal basic education and adult literacy in October 2005. Dr. Masako OTA, who has been advising the Ministry on EFA organized the meeting. She also presented her report on the non-formal basic education community schools in the Islamabad Capital Territory. Her report and contribution to the cause of literacy as a JICA representative merit appreciation.

The Ministry in collaboration with the NCHD has also been holding meetings to develop guidelines for post literacy subjects and material.

Unesco held a consultation meeting regarding LIFE – Literacy Initiative for Empowerment in Islamabad. Pakistan is one of the two countries in Asia selected for support under this scheme. We look forward to Pakistan availing of this opportunity for strengthening and accelerating the implementation of the National Plan of Action. Unesco has also been helpful in the holding of a National Consultation Meeting on Post – Literacy organized by PACADE. Unesco was further instrumental in organization of the Parliamentary Forum for Literacy under the convenership of Senator Rozina Alam Khan.

Mr.Jorge Squeira

Another Media for Literacy meeting was held at Lahore with the cooperation of Unesco. Yet another useful initiative launched by Unesco during this period relates to the development and production of ICT- based literacy training material. A presentation was made by Channel 7 of Communication at Islamabad.

Mention may also be made of the EFA Global Monitoring Report released at the end of the year 2005. Pakistan is one of the three dozen or so countries which has not done very well in meeting the EFA DAKAR goals.

While Punjab and NWFP are moving ahead with their EFA programs, Sindh and Balochistan are lagging behind. Special efforts need to be made by these provincial governments to undertake literacy programmes expeditiously.

A good news is that allocation for education next year will be raised to 4% of the GDP. This was stated in a speech by the President of Pakistan. Hopefully adequate funds out of it, will be provided for the promotion of literacy.