Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said teachers do far more than teach lessons, as they help shape the character, confidence and future of the next generation.
Speaking at a Teachers’ Day event in Narowal, he said every major achievement in Pakistan has the contribution of a teacher behind it. He also praised teachers who continue educating and guiding students despite limited resources.
Iqbal said peace, education and development are closely connected. Peace gives children the chance to learn, education creates opportunities for young people, and development gives families hope for a better future.
He said schools, colleges and universities provide the foundation for Pakistan’s future, but teachers are what make these institutions truly effective.
The minister said artificial intelligence, automation and climate change are rapidly changing the world, making it necessary for Pakistan’s education system to keep up with new challenges.
He said students should not be prepared simply to pass exams. They should learn how to ask questions, conduct research, check evidence and find solutions to problems.
Iqbal called for classrooms where curiosity is encouraged, effort is valued and mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn.
He also said teachers themselves need to keep learning throughout their careers and stay updated on new teaching methods, technology and discoveries.
Speaking about artificial intelligence, Iqbal said it can create new opportunities for students but must be used wisely and responsibly.
“Technology can provide an answer, but the teacher enables a young person to understand the question and choose the right answer,” he said.
He stressed that students should also be taught to verify information, think critically and take responsibility for their decisions instead of blindly relying on technology.
Iqbal said education should not only produce skilled workers but also responsible citizens. Honesty, empathy, a sense of duty, respect for others and civic responsibility should be part of students’ development.
He urged teachers to give every child a fair chance to succeed, particularly those facing poverty, family difficulties or a lack of confidence.
The minister said a child’s current circumstances should not be treated as a measure of their future potential. He also emphasized the importance of encouraging girls to pursue their ambitions and ensuring children from low-income families have equal opportunities.
Iqbal said education should also be connected to real-life problems so students can observe issues around them, research them and develop solutions.
He said the goals of Uraan Pakistan, including higher exports, technology development, environmental protection, infrastructure and inclusive growth, can only be achieved by developing the country’s human potential.
The minister also called for better teaching materials, facilities, training and professional support for teachers. He said the curriculum, teacher training and examination system must work together.
He warned that asking teachers to encourage creativity while an examination system rewards memorization would send students a contradictory message.
Iqbal said the real purpose of education reforms should be to make a difference inside individual classrooms and improve the learning experience of each student.
He urged teachers to recognize the potential of every student, adding that a few words of encouragement from a teacher can change a child’s life.
He said students may eventually forget a particular lesson taught by a teacher, but they remember the teacher who listened to them, treated them fairly and taught them to believe in themselves.
Iqbal congratulated teachers on Teachers’ Day and said every classroom in Narowal should be a place where talent is discovered, character is strengthened and hope is renewed.
