The 1st National Conference of Provincial Education Foundations in Pakistan, held recently, brought together key stakeholders in the education sector to discuss and celebrate the achievements of the Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The conference was graced by the presence of Secretary Sindh Education and Literacy Department (SELD) Zahid Abbasi and Chief Program Manager Reform Support Unit Mr. Junaid Hameed Samo, who commended the efforts of SEF and emphasized the importance of collaboration among provinces to address the education emergency facing Pakistan.
In his address at the conference, Secretary Zahid Abbasi highlighted the significance of sharing knowledge and success stories among provinces to amplify impact. He stressed the need for formal forums and coordination mechanisms among provinces following the 18th Amendment, proposing biannual conferences to accelerate development efforts in the education sector. Abbasi encouraged resource-sharing and joint strategies among provinces, noting that common challenges can be effectively addressed through collective action.
Representatives from various education foundations across Pakistan, including ESEF-KP, PEF, MaEF, BEF, NEF, and the minister of education from Gilgit Baltistan, attended the conference. Abid Gill from JICA presented data on out-of-school children in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address the issue. He highlighted the importance of realistic policy planning and strategies grounded in addressing the specific needs of OOSC.
Muhammad Adam, the Country Manager at CRS, emphasized the collective work of all foundations involved in finalizing an action plan to address the issue of out-of-school children. This action plan, once completed, will be presented to stakeholders and policymakers to pave the way forward for improving educational access and quality in Pakistan. Abdul Kabir Kazi, Managing Director of SEF, concluded the conference with optimism for the future, acknowledging the support of JICA and CRS in achieving this milestone.
The discussions and outcomes of the 1st National Conference of Provincial Education Foundations in Pakistan underscore the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and joint strategies in addressing the education emergency in the country. By working together, education foundations can make a significant impact on improving access to education and quality of learning for all children in Pakistan. This conference marks the beginning of a new chapter in the collective efforts to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education.