Karachi: A significant educational reform initiative, the Sindh Technical Assistance for Development through Enhanced Education Programme (STA DEEP), concluded today, marking a pivotal shift in the management of education in Sindh. Supported by the European Union and UNICEF, this five-year program has positively impacted over 55,000 children by introducing decentralized school management and advanced digital monitoring systems.
According to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, STA DEEP has been instrumental in empowering the School Education and Literacy Department (SELD) of the Government of Sindh. The program implemented a school clustering model that grouped 400 schools into 20 pilot clusters across 14 districts, significantly enhancing the monitoring capabilities and strengthening the capacities of teachers and administrators.
Zahid Ali Abbasi, Secretary of Education at SELD, expressed his gratitude towards the European Union and UNICEF for their support in adopting this globally recognized system. He noted the model’s success in improving monitoring and administration, ultimately leading to better educational outcomes for students. Abbasi also expressed optimism about continuing the collaboration with both organizations to further enhance education quality in Sindh.
Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at the European Union, reflected on the completion of the EU’s support and emphasized the importance of building on the successes of the partnership. He affirmed the EU’s commitment to continue supporting educational improvements in Sindh through the Global Partnership for Education, highlighting the EU’s role as a major contributor.
The program not only decentralized decision-making but also modernized teaching methodologies and introduced continuous professional development for educators, aligning teaching strategies with current pedagogical standards. This has fostered a more engaging and active learning environment for students, as noted by Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
STA DEEP also implemented a robust digital monitoring system that uses biometric devices to track teacher attendance and collects comprehensive data on school infrastructure and student enrollment from over 40,000 schools. This system has played a crucial role in enhancing accountability and improving the management of educational resources.
As STA DEEP concludes, its legacy continues with plans to expand these reforms across Sindh, aiming for a sustainable and long-term improvement in the education sector that promises a brighter future for all students in the region.