Paris, Oct 11, 2003. Education Minister Zobaida Jalal on Saturday proposed revision of the latest report of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) on human resource development, since it was not based on factual data.
According to a statement issued here, the suggestion was made by the education minister while talking to a delegation of the UNESCO let by its director general at Paris.
Ms. Jalal expressed her concern over the declining pace of Human Development Index of Pakistan and said available facts and figures on enrollments and literacy rate did not include the students of private institutions and Deeni Madrassas, which were imparting education to a large number of students.

The minister told the delegation that the private sector in the country was playing a significant role in promotion of literacy and education in Pakistan and that without the support of the private sector, it would be difficult for the state to impart education to all of its citizens.
Ms Jalal also urged upon the delegation to revise the report, so that it should be based on factual data after which the ranking of Pakistan in HDI be ascertained.
She proposed establishment of professional linkage between Unesco Institute of Statistics (UIS), Canada, and the Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM), Islamabad, for acquisition of factual data in the country's education sector. She stressed the need for the enhancement of cooperation between Pakistan and UNESCO.   (continued...)