GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan warmly welcomed Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on her arrival in Gilgit.
The CM expressed his gratitude for the Aga Khan Development Network’s contributions to Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, and social progress. He requested the expansion of the network’s health and education programs to all districts, with a focus on remote areas, and sought cooperation in addressing the shortage of medical professionals and equipment.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for teacher training and sought the Aga Khan Education Service’s support in enhancing education standards and accessibility.The Chief Minister extended an invitation to Princess Zahra Aga Khan to visit Gilgit-Baltistan and conveyed his best wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.
In response, Princess Zahra Aga Khan stated that she would review the health and education projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and work with the government to improve education and health services. She highlighted that the Aga Khan Hospital would provide training for nurses and enhance health facilities, and measures would be taken to modernize health and education services.
The occasion reaffirmed the commitment to collaborative efforts for the development and progress of Gilgit-Baltistan. Chairman HBL and Director Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sultan Ali Allana, ShafikSachedina, Provincial Ministers, members of the GB Assembly, Chairman Board of Investment GB, Special Assistants to the Chief Minister, GB government Spokesperson, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Health, Secretary to the Chief Minister, and other officials were also present on the occasion.
It is pertinent to mention that earlier Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have signed an agreement to improve the quality of teaching practices in GB schools. The agreement was signed under the guidance of AKU’s President, Dr SulaimanShahabuddin.
The project, titled “Education Fellows: A Pilot Project on Hiring of Education Fellows and Improving Quality of Pedagogy in Gilgit-Baltistan,” will be implemented by Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) in collaboration with a consortium comprising Karakorum International University (KIU), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Knowledge Platform (KP). All through, the consortium will work in close collaboration with the Directorate of Education, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The project will focus on selecting and preparing 1,000 new teachers in government schools at the primary, middle, and secondary school levels. It will provide education in pedagogy, foundations of education, classroom management, learners and learning theories, game-based teaching, community engagement and educational technology.
“We are excited to partner with the School Education Department, Government of GB, on this important project,” said Professor Anjum Halai, Regional Vice-Provost at AKU. “It has the potential to impact the quality of education in GB significantly, and we are proud to be working with our partners to ensure its success.”
