Federal Education Ministry and JICA agree to strengthen systems for out-of-school children

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have agreed to strengthen national systems aimed at bringing out-of-school children into education and improving pathways from learning to skills development.

Meeting Reviews Education Cooperation

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qammar and a JICA delegation led by Chief Representative Shinozaki Yusuke at the ministry.

The meeting reviewed progress on Pakistan’s out-of-school children agenda and discussed the next phase of Japan-Pakistan cooperation in non-formal education.

JICA officials briefed the minister on the agency’s cooperation with Pakistan over the past two decades, including support for the National Non-Formal Education Policy, the Non-Formal Education Management Information System, Accelerated Learning Programme, adult literacy initiatives and the Middle Tech pathway linking accelerated education with vocational certification.

Focus on Education and Skills

The minister stressed the need to focus on both access to education and learning outcomes, saying that children leave school not only because of financial constraints but also because existing education pathways do not always provide them with relevant skills for the future.

She highlighted the Middle Tech model, under which out-of-school children can complete foundational learning through the Accelerated Learning Programme before progressing towards technical certification alongside core subjects and language skills.

Qammar also called for a shift from short-term project-based interventions towards strengthening permanent national systems, institutions, policies and data mechanisms so that Pakistan can independently sustain efforts to address the out-of-school children challenge.

Pakistan’s GPE Financing Preparations

The meeting also reviewed Pakistan’s preparations for Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Multiplier financing.

The proposed measures include establishing a Local Education Group, developing a Partnership Compact focused on out-of-school children and applying for a GPE System Capacity Grant.

Participants also discussed coordination with development partners, including UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Qatar Foundation.

Progress in Tracking Out-of-School Children

Progress in identifying and tracking out-of-school children was also reviewed. A federal and Islamabad Capital Territory door-to-door survey has been shared with Balochistan, where pilot implementation is underway, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has completed a pilot in one union council and is working towards wider implementation.

The meeting further discussed the establishment of a coordination cell and national dashboard at the Pakistan Institute of Education to provide federal and provincial authorities with consolidated information on allocations, implementation and the remaining number of out-of-school children.

JICA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the ministry in strengthening the country’s education systems and addressing the out-of-school children challenge.