ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday approved allocation of Rs.600 million for National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) in addition to Rs.300 million already earmarked for PSDP 2009-10 to ensure timely implementation of projects.
Chairing a meeting to review the working and performance of (NCHD) at the PM House, Gilani said an integrated approach was imperative for meeting government’s objective of achieving Millennium Development Goals in literacy, primary education and healthcare.
The Prime Minister directed the NCHD to utilize expertise in primary education and adult literacy to achieve country’s development agenda. He directed Ministry of Finance to ensure timely provision of funds for the approved projects.
The Prime Minister directed NCHD to prepare a projection plan in consultation with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to create public awareness and generate funds by involving the private sector.
The Prime Minister said the government was focussing on improving human development indicators in Pakistan and directed the NCHD to expand outreach of the project launched in September to 134 districts of the country.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels and asked the NCHD to take appropriate measures.
The Finance Minister assured that required funds will be made available on priority.
Chairperson Ms. Nafisa Shah said NCHD has been mandated to run programs regarding education, health and volunteerism for community development with focus on universal primary education, adult literacy and primary healthcare.
She said NCHD has expanded its programs since 2002 to 122 districts. Under the Rs 2.3 billion per annum with over 50,000 employees, the program would be implemented in almost every district in the country.
She said a strategy based on public-private partnership was being evolved to increase community participation, capacity and competency building, introduction of best practices and filling gapes for systemic improvement.
Highlighting the achievements of Universal Primary Education Program, Ms. Nafisa Shah said with NCHD’s efforts 8.2 million of school children aged 5-7 years was achieved showing an increase from 54% to 86%, drop out rate reduced from 50% to 20% in 17 districts in phase-I.
She said 146,225 teachers were trained while 3882 government schools re-opened. Under the Adult Literacy Program 120,263 centers were established through which 2.68 million have benefitted, 90% of whom were females.
The meeting was informed that under the approved PC-I for three years, the interventions of primary education and adult literacy will be implemented in all the districts of Malakand.
In addition, relief and rehabilitation activities relating to livelihood and employment as well as efforts for establishing a tolerant and friendly society through education interventions are underway.
The meeting was informed that NCHD has been awarded UNESCO International Literacy Award 2006 in recognition of its efforts in providing education and healthcare facilities at the grassroots level.
The meeting was informed that an integrated primary healthcare model focusing on improving health of primary school students in 916 BHUs in 12 districts was being implemented.
Minister for Finance Shaukat Tareen; Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah; Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali; Secretaries Cabinet, Education and Planning attended the meeting.
