Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Development Inaugurated at AIOU

On July 25, 2024, Federal Minister for Planning Professor Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated the Center of Excellence for Child Development at Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of early childhood education in Pakistan. In his inaugural address, Professor Iqbal highlighted the importance of the center, describing it as a remarkable achievement for the nation. He expressed concern over the recent census results, which revealed that between 26 million children in Pakistan are out of school, emphasizing that the country's future cannot be bright if such a large number of children remain uneducated.

To address this critical issue, Professor Iqbal detailed the establishment of a twenty-five billion rupee fund during the sixteen-month government tenure, aimed specifically at the education of out-of-school children. He further outlined the government's ambitious plan to secure an additional twenty-five billion rupees from provincial resources and another twenty-five billion from development partners, with the majority of this seventy-five billion rupee fund dedicated to primary education.

Professor Iqbal underscored the significance of the first 1000 days of a child's life, during which the foundations for all physical and mental abilities are laid. He drew a parallel to the construction of a building, stating that a weak foundation compromises future growth.

The government's goal, he asserted, is to provide an educational foundation that will enable children to meet future academic requirements and develop into creative and capable citizens.

Congratulating the Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, Professor Iqbal praised the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Child Development. He asserted that the center would offer guidance on modern early development practices for children across Pakistan and directed that it should actively engage with various communities to maximize its reach and impact, assuring full government support for this initiative.

Reiterating the government's commitment to the Five-Ease Framework, Professor Iqbal emphasized that progress in today's digital age occurs at the speed of electrons, necessitating that Pakistan keep pace with global development trends.

He highlighted that Pakistan is not lacking in hard work, intelligence, or honesty compared to other nations, but stressed the need for political stability, policy continuity, and consistent reforms to achieve sustained growth.

Prof Ahsan Iqbal urged all institutions and citizens of Pakistan to learn from Pakistan’s 75 years of history and work towards peace, stability, and continuous policy implementation.

Addressing the start of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Professor Iqbal lamented the disruptions that have historically hindered progress. He expressed that had Pakistan maintained its development path under CPEC, the country would be ahead of nations like Vietnam today. He called for national development to proceed with peace and stability for the benefit of future generations.

Professor Iqbal stressed the importance of individual responsibility in nation-building, articulating that every person must contribute within their domain: teachers in classrooms, doctors in hospitals, engineers in their projects, farmers in their fields, police in their stations, and businessmen in their enterprises. He asserted that collective dedication in these roles could revolutionize Pakistan within a few years.

In conclusion, Professor Ahsan Iqbal extended his heartfelt congratulations to Allama Iqbal Open University, the Vice Chancellor, his team, and Mr. Nasiruddin Rabbani for establishing the Center of Excellence for Early Education and Development of Children. He expressed hope that the center would lay the foundation for future generations’ development, enlighten the entire country with its knowledge, and become a major asset in providing foundational education to children.