Education minister launches ‘No Child Left Behind’ campaign, vows 100% enrolment in Islamabad

2026-02-25 - 09:13

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has announced the launch of a nationwide campaign titled “No Child Left Behind,” declaring that no child should remain deprived of education. The minister said a comprehensive assessment of educational institutions across the country would be conducted, including their number, condition and available facilities. In areas where school buildings are lacking, arrangements would be made to hold classes in mosques and even homes if necessary. He added that 100 percent school enrolment would be ensured in Islamabad and its surrounding areas. The minister expressed these views while addressing a press conference. Siddiqui emphasized that full implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education, is the government’s responsibility. He announced that a “Federal Action Plan 2025–2030” has been prepared to address the issue of out-of-school children. Under the plan, door-to-door identification and mapping of children will be carried out, second shifts will be introduced in schools, and alternative education pathways along with accelerated learning programmes will be offered. He further stated that digital dashboards would be introduced to ensure transparent monitoring of enrolment and attendance, so that poverty and geographical barriers do not hinder access to education. The minister urged parents, teachers, and the media to support the government in what he termed a national mission, stressing that education is a shared responsibility. The federal minister said that upon assuming office, he found the education indicators alarming and informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about what he described as an education emergency. He noted that increasing educational participation in rural areas and changing societal attitudes toward schooling remain major challenges that require outreach at the grassroots level. Siddiqui maintained that the campaign would not be symbolic but practical and time-bound, with maximum resources mobilized to secure the future of every child. He also invited the Pakistan Peoples Party to play an active role in enrolling out-of-school children. He added that the world is moving toward an education-driven economy, and Pakistan must place education at the center of its development agenda. Islamabad Traffic Police roll out week-long mobile service vans across capital