ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (Alliance News): Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, met with Ms. Coco Ushiyama, Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Pakistan, to strengthen cooperation on school nutrition, early childhood development, and parenting support across the country.
During the meeting, Ms. Qamar acknowledged WFP’s vital role in supporting children’s health and education in Pakistan, especially through its school meals programme in food-insecure areas.
She highlighted the Ministry’s focus on holistic child development, including the rollout of the AGHOSH and PARVARISH parenting manuals, which guide caregivers on nutrition, emotional care, and school readiness.
“We recognize that a hungry child cannot learn,” said Ms. Qamar. “Our goal is to build stronger foundations for learning by integrating nutrition and parenting awareness into Pakistan’s education system, especially in the early years.”
Ms. Ushiyama praised the Ministry’s leadership in prioritizing children’s well-being and reaffirmed WFP’s support for Pakistan’s national goals through programmes linking food security with education, gender equity, and community resilience.
Both sides discussed expanding school meal initiatives, integrating parenting education into nutrition strategies, and launching targeted projects for remote and marginalized communities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), through joint efforts between the government and WFP.
