The Each One Teach One initiative is a groundbreaking program of mass literacy which aims to eradicate illiteracy and empower citizens across Pakistan by engaging students from schools, colleges and universities as Literacy Teachers. Their task is to impart basic literacy and numeracy skills to at least one illiterate individual each within their communities. This initiative seeks to harness the potential of the education sector to address the literacy crisis and improve educational outcomes nationwide.
Pakistan faces significant challenges in achieving its national and international literacy targets. The literacy rate of the country, standing at 61%, ranks second lowest in South Asia. This presents a pressing concern, undermining Pakistan's development goals and its international commitments, including Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.6. In response, the country has a constitutional and international obligation to promote literacy and education.
National Education Emergency announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in May 2024, is aimed at addressing the country’s educational and literacy crisis. The "Each One Teach One" initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s directives on Education Emergency whereby the Directive No. 7 states;
“Community based teaching shall be incentivized ensuring participation of every literate citizen of the country to impart education at relevant levels.”
The EOTO initiative has been designed to engage and incentivize the educated individuals for their contribution in enhancing the literacy and empower citizens across Pakistan. Under the aegis of the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training the EOTO program is being overseen by the National Commission for Human Development which is the lead agency and certifying authority for literacy and non-formal education in Pakistan.