Pakistani governor calls for everyone to sign the #UpForSchool Petition

The governor of Pakistan’s most populated state has called on business leaders, education stakeholders, civil society and the public to back the #UpForSchool Petition.

Punjab Governor Mohammed Sarwar urged everyone to collect signatures for the petition – which calls on world leaders to keep their promise to get all children into school by the end of 2015. #UpForSchool has been launched by A World at School, which is partnering with the Pakistani education organisation Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA).

Governor Sarwar and ITA held a press briefing which he said was “a call to action” to endorse the campaign and stand up to ensure the right to education to all children without any discrimination.

He said Pakistan had about 5.4 million of the 58 million children out of school around the world – the second highest total after Nigeria. He said all stakeholders and citizens in Punjab needed to be mobilised to end the country’s education crisis and urged all universities, colleges, schools, businesses, parents and civil society to participate in the campaign by collecting petition signatures by February 28.

Punjab Governor Sarwar signs #UpForSchool watched by Baela

Governor Sarwar paid tribute to the talent and bravery of young people in Pakistan and said they could take on any challenge. He also acknowledged the courage of Aitzaz Hassan, who gave his life to stop a sucicide bomber at his school last year.

ITA Director Programmes Baela Raza Jamil said the aim was for three million people in Pakistan to sign the #UpForSchool Petition. Governor Sarwar signed the petition, together with 23 university vice chancellors, educationalists and parents.

Punjab is home to more than half of Pakistan’s 180 million people.

You can add your voice to the campaign by signing the #UpForSchool Petition now.