Islamabad: In a concerted effort to address the education crisis in Pakistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) urged educational stakeholders to enhance Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs) for disadvantaged and out-of-school children and youth at a national education workshop.
According to The UN Refugee Agency, the workshop saw participation from over 80 individuals, including government officials and education experts from various provinces such as Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The discussions focused on improving coordination and deploying best practices to fulfill the vast educational needs in the country.
Ms. Philippa Candler, UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, highlighted the staggering number of children out of school globally, including 26 million in Pakistan, with half a million being refugee children. She emphasized the critical role of ALPs in helping these individuals catch up and progress through the educational system, particularly emphasizing the support for girls and young women.
Mr. Naoaki Miyata, Country Chief of JICA, noted that with 67 percent of Pakistan’s population under 30, the emphasis on human capital development through quality education is more crucial than ever. The workshop underscored the potential of ALPs to significantly impact the educational landscape in Pakistan by addressing the challenges of children who are not in school.
Mr. Sohail Akhtar Malik from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training pointed out the urgency declared by Pakistan’s Prime Minister regarding the education emergency. He advocated for innovative, cost-effective educational solutions, particularly digital ones, to expand learning opportunities.
The event also included discussions on provincial and national strategies to enhance ALP initiatives, ensuring accreditation and effectiveness for all children, irrespective of their social status. These discussions are set to continue with technical consultations aimed at unifying approaches to accelerated education across the country.