Traditional Literacy Insufficient as Youth Need Digital, Scientific Skills: Governor

Independent Report QUETTA , Sept 7: Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has emphasized the need to broaden the concept of literacy in response to rapid advances in artificial intelligence, digital technology and robotics, saying young people must acquire digital competencies, scientific reasoning, research skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities to remain competitive in the evolving global economy. In a message marking International Literacy Day, the Governor said the occasion offered an opportunity to reaffirm the collective commitment to education as the cornerstone of an empowered, prosperous and sustainable future. He maintained that transforming Balochistan into a developed and educated province required coordinated efforts by the government, educational institutions, teachers, parents, civil society and communities. Mandokhail highlighted recent progress in the province's education sector, stating that Balochistan had registered a seven per cent improvement in its overall literacy rate, while 768,000 children had returned to schools. He described the developments as a significant achievement for the provincial Education Department and said they demonstrated that sustained efforts and effective policies could produce tangible improvements. The Governor noted that digital literacy had emerged as an essential component of education, enabling people to access information, develop modern competencies and participate effectively in an increasingly technology-driven society. He stressed that the education system needed to evolve in line with emerging technologies and the demands of the future. He also called for a comprehensive, equitable and future-oriented national education policy grounded in scientific evidence and responsive to human needs. Such a policy, he said, was essential to help young people across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, adapt to rapid technological and economic changes. Addressing challenges confronting education in the province, Mandokhail identified poverty and unemployment as significant obstacles, observing that many talented students were compelled to enter the workforce to support their families rather than continue their education and realize their full potential. The Governor said literacy should not be viewed merely through numerical indicators, but as a means of enabling individuals to understand their rights, recognize their capabilities and make use of available opportunities. He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, international organizations, educational bodies, the private sector and civil society to advance the goal of creating a literate, skilled and future-ready Balochistan.