(a) whether Pakistan has shown keen interest in the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan at various
international fora as reported in the Times of India dated February 23, 2007;
(b) if so, the facts thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received any formal request from Pakistan in this
regard; and
(d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRi M.A.A. FATMI)
(a) & (d): No formaL agreement has been signed for any exchanges between India and Pakistan.
However, a Workmg Group on Education set up by the indo-Pakistan Joint Commission he!d its
first meeting on 20th February 2007 in New Delhi. The issues discussed by the workmg group
on education included cooperation in higher education sector in various fields, institutional
linkages between University Grants Commission and HEC of Pakistan, exchange of printed
material relating to educational development, sharing of experiences by NCERT & National
Book Trust of India and National Book Foundation of Pakistan and exchange of expertise in
the field of elementary, secondary anti adult education.