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Pakistan Hosts International Education Day 2025 Conference

International Education Day 2025

In celebration of the International Education Day 2025, the Federal Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI), in partnership with UNESCO, hosted a thought-provoking conference in Islamabad. The event focused on the theme, “Bridging the Education Divide: Linking Education to National and Economic Development,” while also incorporating the global theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” Discussions highlighted the potential and challenges of integrating AI into education systems.

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Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, addressed the pressing educational issues facing Pakistan, such as the large number of out-of-school children, inadequate infrastructure, and teacher shortages. He presented a comprehensive plan for education reform under the Uraan Pakistan initiative. Key measures include establishing a teacher training institute, creating digital learning platforms for remote areas, fostering public-private partnerships to bridge funding gaps, and improving governance through automation and policy reforms.

Antony Kar Hung Tam, UNESCO’s Officer-in-Charge in Pakistan, underscored the need to address gender and digital divides, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, as well as enhanced monitoring and learning systems to tackle the national education emergency.

The event also introduced the District Education Performance Index (DEPIx), a tool aimed at improving evidence-based policymaking, resource distribution, and governance in education. Federal and provincial representatives shared updates on their efforts to integrate education into national development and address challenges related to access, quality, and equity. A panel discussion further highlighted education’s pivotal role in economic development, emphasizing governance improvements, teacher training, and the strategic adoption of AI in education.

The conference brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Federal Education (MoFEPT), Provincial Education Departments, UNESCO, civil society, and key leaders from educational institutions, including Vice Chancellors and Principals.

The United Nations General Assembly designated January 24 as International Day of Education to celebrate the critical role of education in fostering peace and development.

Related: Pakistani PM Reaffirms Commitment to AI-Driven Education
UMT 2025