Launching of NPA and MDGs acceleration framework And National Seminar on Right to Education- Article 25-A was held on September 3rd, 2013 at Marriott Hotel Islamabad. It was organized by Ministry of Education, Training and Standards in Higher Education, UNICEF Federal Minister of State for Education & Training Mr. Baligh ur Rehman, Provincial Ministers, Excellencies, Parliamentarians, Senator, Sr.officials of Federal Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs Division, Planning & Development Division, Inter-provincial Coordination, Ministry of CAD, Representatives and Officials of Provincial/Areas Departments of Education, Representatives of Civil Society, Donors and UN Agencies attended this seminar.

Seminar aim was to reduce poverty in Pakistan and accelerate the pace of achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Education is one of the pillars of sustainable poverty reduction strategy. Education is regarded as key to change and progress. In order to renew global commitments to education “United Nations” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has launched the Global Education First Initiative to put every child in school, improve the quality of learning, and foster global citizenship.

The Ministry of Education, Training & Standards in Higher Education undertook an important initiative to prepare country status report on education-related MDGs. The Ministry has now prepared a comprehensive National Plan of Action on MDGs Acceleration Framework 2013-16, with close collaboration with all the provinces and areas.

UNESCO Islamabad was pleased to provide Technical Assistance in the form of Consultants and support for organizing National meetings of Provincial and Areas Focal Persons in Islamabad in April 2013, and today’s important national event for launching of NPA on MFA and status of implementation of Article 25-A Right to Free Education.