Australia, Gilgit Baltistan's Joint Education Initiative Launched

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th july,2016) : The Australian High Commission in Islamabad and the local government of Gilgit Baltistan has launched the 'Gilgit-Baltistan Education Strategy 2016-2030' aimed at promoting equal opportunity of education to girls and boys. Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson, Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan Mir Ghazanfar and Education Minister Gilgit- Baltistan Muhammad Ibrahim Sanai launched the project at the 8th meeting of Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference held here Thursday. The Education Strategy was revised as part of the Australian government-funded AUD 12.46 million Gilgit-Baltistan Education Development and Improvement Program (EDIP) 2010-2015, delivered through the Aga Khan Foundation, a statement from Australian High Commission said.

High Commissioner Adamson speaking at the occasion said the her government was pleased to assist in improving the accessibility and quality of education in the most remote and marginalized communities of Gilgit-Baltistan.

"Providing equal opportunity for girls and boys to access quality education is critical," she said. Adamson said Australia was proud to support Pakistan on the path to building high-performing and inclusive education systems.

She said education helps individuals, families, communities and nations achieve their aspirations and realize their full potential besides acting as a powerful tool to reduce the effects of disadvantage and accelerate economic growth.

Australia has demonstrated global leadership on education equality, particularly for girls and children with disabilities, she added. High Commissioner Adamson recently visited three schools supported through EDIP, as well as a teacher training facility.

Over 100 schools across Gilgit-Baltistan are supported as part of EDIP. The Australian Government through its aid program has undertaken substantial investment in strengthening basic education in Pakistan.

Over the last decade, Australia has invested AUD 128 million in strengthening education systems in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as supporting education sector reform at the national level.

Australia's educationassistance focuses on promoting equality, improving quality of education and strengthening education systems. Australia is currently supporting the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's education reform agenda through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Sector Program (KESP), in partnership with DFID.