Written by: James Hampson, British Council Country Director, Pakistan
The Education World Forum (EWF), held in London in May, was a gathering of minds and leaders dedicated to the future of global education. Attending this prestigious event with a delegation from Pakistan, including our federal and provincial education ministers, was both illuminating and a stark reminder of the fundamental challenges we face in Pakistan.
The EWF brought together 121 ministers from 119 countries, making it a significant platform for discussing educational advancements and innovations. However, while the discussions on EdTech and AI were captivating, it was evident that Pakistan's educational system needs to address more pressing foundational issues before fully leveraging these technologies.
The announcement from Pakistan’s Prime Minister of an education emergency underscores the gravity of our situation, 26 million children are out of school. The government's ambitious target is to reduce this number to nine million in the next four years. Achieving this requires a monumental effort in terms of investment, policy reform, and community engagement.
In Punjab, only 35% of schools are connected to the internet. This digital divide is just one of many barriers preventing quality education for all. While international experts at the EWF highlighted advanced educational technologies, our immediate focus must be on ensuring basic infrastructure and access to education.
One of the most impactful moments at EWF was the presentation by the Minister of Education from Punjab on community engagement. He emphasised how involving local communities in the educational process is vital for getting children back into schools and ensuring they stay there. This approach aligns with our work at the British Council, where community trust and engagement are pivotal to our initiatives.
Climate change is another profound challenge for Pakistan, as highlighted during the forum. Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change yet contributes the least to the problem. The devastating floods in recent years have displaced millions and disrupted education for countless children. Addressing the impact of climate change is crucial for the resilience of our educational system.
Our delegation's meeting with Steve Smith, the UK's international education champion, and the subsequent discussions with Google and other international stakeholders, underscored the importance of partnerships. These collaborations are vital for leveraging global expertise and resources to tackle Pakistan's unique educational challenges.
A particularly inspiring highlight of the EWF was meeting Malala Yousafzai. Her unwavering commitment to education and her powerful advocacy for girls' education worldwide, serve as a beacon of hope. Malala's personal story of resilience and her ongoing efforts to ensure every girl has access to quality education resonate deeply with the challenges we face in Pakistan. Her insights and encouragement were a reminder of the impact that dedicated individuals can have on global education.
The British Council has been a trusted partner in Pakistan since 1947. Our longstanding presence and deep-rooted relationships enable us to operate effectively across the country. We are currently working on numerous projects, including a €10 million EU-funded initiative to develop digital skills for women and girls in challenging regions.
Our focus on professional development for teachers is another critical aspect. In Punjab, for example, we have worked with 150,000 primary school English teachers, impacting the education of 6 million children. This large-scale teacher training is essential for improving educational outcomes.
The discussions at EWF reaffirmed that while technology and innovation are important in the continuous development and improvement of both teaching and learning, addressing Pakistan's education crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. It involves improving infrastructure, enhancing teacher training, engaging communities, and building resilient systems to withstand climate impacts.
Our commitment at the British Council is to continue fostering relationships, leveraging international partnerships, and implementing sustainable educational programmes. The road ahead is challenging, but with concerted efforts and collaboration, we can make significant strides in providing quality education for all children in Pakistan.