A few decades ago, the people of Tajikistan were not only substantially less healthy but also less educated. The newly independent Central Asian states had blamed the USSR for the decline of health, education, nutrition and jobs. The main growth of the economy was based on education, health, opportunities for business, and quality labour provision.
Research shows that investment in human development programmes is more effective for a country’s progress and prosperity. Therefore, developing countries have to ensure that all children are nourishing better and are going to school to become productive citizens in an increasingly competitive and integrative global economy. For this, Tajikistan made efforts to alleviate poverty and was able to bring poverty levels down by 50% between 2000 and 2017. In the past, 17% of children in Tajikistan under the age of 5 were stunted and only 1 in 10 children aged 3 to 6 years benefited from early learning programmes. Today, the human capital index of the World Bank shows that a child born in Tajikistan is expected to be 53% as productive, as they are receiving healthcare and education.
The country manager of the World Bank for Tajikistan has said, “Improving school readiness, educational outcome and physical and mental health will lead to more productive and healthy adolescents and adults.” If anything, Pakistani leaders should learn from this example and pave a path towards prosperity and growth.
Dr. Muhammad Akram Zaheer
PhD Political Science
akrmazaheer86@yahoo.com
