ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (Alliance News): Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting to review progress on the Teacher Training Institute initiative, stressing the urgency of education reforms to prepare Pakistan’s youth for future challenges.
Senior officials, including the Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education, alongside representatives from the Planning and Education Ministries, attended the meeting.
The initiative, spearheaded by the National Institute of Excellence in Teacher Education (NIETE) in collaboration with the LUMS School of Education, aims to modernize teacher training and elevate educational standards.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need to revive foundational ethics, nurture teamwork, and promote a global outlook among students.
He underlined the evolving role of teachers as “knowledge managers,” tasked with shaping future leaders equipped with essential life skills and a strong community focus.
Key Challenges and Proposed Reforms:
- Pakistan’s education system faces a significant shortfall, with 1.8 million existing teachers requiring updated training and 1 million new teachers needed to meet growing demographic demands.
- The minister proposed adopting international best practices from Finland, Singapore, Australia, and Vietnam to integrate theory with practice and adapt teaching to 21st-century standards.
- Introducing globally accredited training programs and mandatory certifications for school headmasters and headmistresses was discussed to ensure leadership competency.
Ahsan Iqbal also directed equipping public sector schools to teach essential life skills, ensuring the proposed reforms benefit society at large.
“Our education system must prepare youth not only for individual success but for collective achievements, fostering adaptability and collaboration to meet global challenges,” he remarked.
