ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (WNP): In a concerted push toward improving children’s health, learning outcomes, and family well-being, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Wajiha Qamar, met with World Food Programme (WFP) Pakistan Country Director Coco Ushiyama on Wednesday to strengthen collaboration in school nutrition, early childhood development, and parenting support.

During the meeting, held in Islamabad, Minister Qamar acknowledged WFP’s pivotal role in enhancing access to education through its school meals programme in food-insecure districts. She noted that the Ministry’s priorities have increasingly shifted toward a holistic approach to child development—one that includes not only access to education, but also nutritional and emotional well-being.

“We recognize that a hungry child cannot learn,” said Qamar. “That’s why we are integrating nutrition and parenting awareness into our education system, especially during the early years of a child’s life.”

She highlighted the Ministry’s flagship parenting guides—AGHOSH and PARVARISH—which aim to empower caregivers with practical tools on nutrition, emotional care, and school readiness.

WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama praised Pakistan’s education reforms for placing child welfare at the heart of policy. She reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s national development goals through programs that connect food security with education, gender equity, and community resilience.

Both sides agreed on the need to expand school meal programs, incorporate parenting education into nutrition strategies, and launch targeted initiatives in marginalized and remote communities.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)—through strengthened government-WFP cooperation.