British Council Chairman Sir Vernon Ellis gave a special interview to Waqt News, in which he spoke candidly of plans to start one of the largest educational programmes ever sponsored by the British Government in Pakistan, specifically for primary education in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. In a country like Pakistan, where two-thirds of the population is under 30, such incentives are urgently needed if Pakistan is to join the ranks of developed countries. He said that English had become the lingua franca which the countries of the world used for all subjects. In this context, he praised the efforts Punjab was making to equip the younger generation with the skills necessary to make them a productive part of society in future. Sir Vernon, whose organization had an ‘Education for All’ programme, was in Lahore to visit the branch of the Council there, and through it the youth of the city were improving their skills. His said that his visit had made him shed many misconceptions about Pakistan. While his organization was working in 110 countries, he felt it was necessary to work in Pakistan, not only because it was part of the developing world, but also because it had such a high proportion of young people in its population.
Sir Vernon’s praise of the Punjab government was a recognition of the efforts being made by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, especially in this area, which takes the view that in the long term, what matters most is how the young are prepared for future challenges. The Danish schools scheme is one such scheme, which is meant to ensure that children of less financially secure families still have a chance to receive top quality education. The British Council's commendable interest in promoting education in Pakistan is the attitude of a true friend. Britain's understanding attitude towards Pakistan's constrictions of financial resources battling with the ambition of young people of boundless talent and the desire to move forward are being expressed as the extension of a helping hand. British education, considered one of the finest systems in the world, will be welcomed in Pakistan. Pakistan's youth are hungry for opportunity. We must join hands with our allies, such as Britain, to present them with the tools to fulfill their dreams.
What Mian Shahbaz and Sir Vernon Ellis are trying to do, is to provide a start in a journey that is long, and which will only be completed by the rising generation. One step at a time. With friends by our side, we will achieve our destiny.