PRESS RELEASE 


"UNESCO Advocates Free Education, Health & Safety Standards in Schools to Meet Education for All Goals in Sindh"


"Article 25-of the 18th Amendment of Constitution has recognized access of all children aged 5-16 to free and compulsory education as a fundamental right.  It is a great achievement of this country. All 4 provinces and territories are are now demanded to legislate their own provincial acts for implementation of Article 25-A as a prerequisite, and mobilize funds to implement this article. In this regard, UNESCO has already assisted the Senate and Capital Development Authority which has recently passed the bill on free and compulsory education Islamabad Capital Territory. ", these remarks were given by Director UNESCO, Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata on the occasion of advocacy seminar on Right to Free and Compulsory Education and Health & Safety Standards in Schools, held in Hyderabad. Minister for Education in Sindh Pir Mazharul Haq along with, Dr. Riaz Memon, Special Secretary, Department of Education, Govt. of Sindh, Civil Society Representatives, Parents and a large number of teachers participated at the event. Over 300 participants from different walks of life participated in the seminar. 

The seminar on Right to Free Education and Health & Safety Standards in schools was organized by Education & Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, in collaboration with UNESCO to encourage Education for All, health and hygiene practices among children in schools, and also advocate the need of having safe schools; one of the key areas UNESCO is helping provincial ministries to develop the school safety plans, to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction at school level in order to create preparedness and increasing individual's and community's mitigation of disasters.

It was recommended that school health should be firmly adopted as an important impetus for Education for All, attracting more students in schools and improves their retention and successful completion of their education. 

Talking to the occasion, Dr. Nagata showed her confidence in the representatives of people in Sindh, led by Sr. Minsiter, Pir Mazhar ul-Haq and Education Department, Government of Sindh to pass the bill on right to free and compulsory education in Sindh and ensure School Health and School Safety Standards in the province and its districts. Islamabad Capital Territory was cited as a role model for provinces to follow suit in passing the bill on right to free and compulsory education as per the mandatory requirement of Article 25-A. 

Senior Minister Education, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq appreciated the efforts of UNESCO for advocating free education and raising awareness on healthy and safe schools in Sindh. He affirmed that Sindh Government is committed to Article 25-A and soon a bill on right to free education will be presented in provincial assembly for legislation. He expressed concern over falling standards of education in his province and said that the parents, the students and the civil society organizations should join hands with the education department for improving the standards and quality of education in the province. 

He also highlighted in his speech the missing facilities in schools, especially the latrines, which are deterring the students, especially the girls from attending schools. He also stressed on the need for school buildings in the shelter-less schools and emphasized upon community's participation in school affairs. 

This seminar was in line with UNESCO's Article VIII of Dakar Framework of Action, which states 
"Create safe, healthy, inclusive and equitably resourced educational environments, conducive to excellence in learning…" (Article 8.viii)

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WHO clarifies

In several articles appeared in the local and international press concerning difficulties encountered in polio eradication in Pakista, it
is wrongly indicated that Dr Shakeel Afridi used polio vaccination to track down Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

These baseless information have damaged the on-going vaccination campaigns and WHO would like to confirm that Dr Afridi had absolutely no links with any polio vaccination campaign. 

Alegedly Dr Afridi was inoculating hepatitis vaccine with syringes and was collecting blood samples in the neighborhood for genetical investigations.

WHO would like to clarify that not only Dr Afridi was NOT part of the Polio eradication programme but also that Polio vaccine is currently administrated with omly 2 drops in the mouth of every children below 5 years and thereofore does not allow collection of blood samples for any use.

The misinformation spread by this wrong news in have unfortunately raised doubts on real objectives of the polio eradication campaigns hampering the efforts of a dedicated Polio staff. The government health departments along with WHO, UNICEF and rotary international are trying their level best to clear the misconceptions and make people understanding that polio vaccination is crucial for their children well being.

Situation is gradually improving with the help of religious leaders and cleric who are playing an instrumental role in clearing the misconceptions about the polio vaccine and its impact on children's health.

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Recent Activity:
Editor,
Tariq Khattak.
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