Locally, all the major newspapers such as The News, Dawn, Express Tribune, Daily Times, Pakistan Today, The Nation, Nawa-i-Waqt, Business Recorder, Daily Express, Daily Ausaaf and Pakistan Observer have covered the news; have published opinion pieces and written editorial supporting the campaign. The foreign publications that have covered the campaign are Guardian, Khaleej Times, Independent, Al Jazeerah, Inter Press Services, IBN, The India, Yahoo India, Qatar Peninsula, New Kerala, India gazette, Cambodian Express and Samachar Express to name a few.

The message that we wanted to convey was that no country will ever enjoy security or robust economic growth without quality education, and the fact that education emergency in Pakistan is now a threat to country’s survival. Pakistani government has to get its priorities right and needs to set aside a decent percentage of its GDP, a minimum of 4 percent for education. Pouring money into education is the only way to achieve its long-term security and the best antidote to terror. The case for education has been made, now the political leadership needs to step up and take the lead.

President Zardari called for innovative ideas to deal with the education emergency and suggested that management partnership with the private sector should be explored for an efficient running of the school system. He also called for the adoption of ground-breaking ways to generate funds and improve oversight of the educational institutions.

The campaign is very pleased to note that the President has taken notice of the shortcomings in the education sector and is terming the situation as an emergency and is asking the concerned ministries to improve the situation. In order to achieve outstanding and long term results, we need the leadership of the country to actively pursue change through policy, investment and political consensus. President’s keen interest education is the first step in implementing change which can impact the lives and futures of nearly sixty million children between the ages of 5 and 16.

Sir Michael draws from his experience in other countries and suggests that reforms agenda takes off when either a political or economic crisis forces the governments to redesign their education program, or a ground-breaking report forces the government to take notice of the seriousness of a country’s educational challenges, or a visionary leader takes it upon him or herself to bring reform to the education sector.

Read the full text ‘Lessons in Education Reforms for Pakistan’

The writer believes that political will is required to restate the urgency of education reform and that can only be achieved when the voter and tax payers vociferously demand for that change. The writer suggests that all political parties must come together in a forum that will allow them to develop a consensus on how to make the constitutional right to an education a reality.

Read the complete pamphlet on ‘The Politics of Education Reforms’

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But Pakistan faces an education emergency that has disastrous social and economic consequences, and threatens the security of the country.

We believe it is now time to end this emergency.

Under the 18th amendment, which received Presidential assent on 19 April 2010, education is no longer a privilege, but a fundamental right for all up to the age of sixteen.

Provinces, meanwhile, now have full responsibility for developing plans to ensure that every child is able to go to a decent school.

That is why we ask you to help us make March the month that Pakistan talks about only two things: education and cricket.

We want to start a debate about the how the country can unite across political, religious, and ethnic divides – dedicating itself to a cause that will determine its future.

Please join us in the March for Education.

Pakistan is suffering an education emergency, with at least 25 million children denied their constitutional right to an education.

Few of those children who do go to school receive the quality education they need to prosper in the modern world. The economic impact of the emergency is catastrophic – billions of rupees a year – while the human cost is much greater.

Let’s join together to force Pakistan’s leaders to finally get serious about providing every child with a decent school and a committed teacher. Sign the petition to make ending the education emergency the country’s no 1 priority.

To World Leaders

More than one in ten of the world’s children who don’t get to go to primary school live in Pakistan. Unless you help end the country’s education emergency, the world will never reach the Millennium Development Goals. Please support Pakistan’s leaders by joining an urgent response by the international community to get all its children into good schools.

Pakistan is suffering an education emergency, with at least 25 million children denied their constitutional right to an education.

Few of those children who do go to school receive the quality education they need to prosper in the modern world. The economic impact of the emergency is catastrophic – billions of rupees a year – while the human cost is much greater.

Let’s join together to force Pakistan’s leaders to finally get serious about providing every child with a decent school and a committed teacher. Sign the petition to make ending the education emergency the country’s no 1 priority.

To Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief Ministers

We call on you to make education your number one priority in 2011 – the Year of Education – and to set out plans for giving every child their constitutional right to education. At a time of fiscal crisis, we ask you protect education budgets and to explain how, and when, they can be increased to at least 4% of GDP.