The Sindh Education Department has distributed 1,000 digital tablets to facilitators running non-formal education centres, aimed at bringing out-of-school children into the education system.
The tablets were handed over at a ceremony held at the Scouts Auditorium in Karachi. The event was organised by the Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education under the School Education Department. Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah attended as chief guest, while Chihoo Ohashi, Chief Adviser of the JICA Pakistan education and literacy project, also took part.
The minister distributed the tablets among representatives of social organisations and community-based organisations that operate non-formal education centres.
He said the tablets represent more than a distribution of devices. In his words, the initiative empowers 1,000 facilitators and strengthens 1,000 education centres. The tablets will help facilitators stay in contact, record student attendance, manage data and monitor learning activities.
The minister said the Non-Formal Education Programme was launched in April 2025 and has so far connected nearly 100,000 out-of-school children in six districts of Sindh with education. He added that children who cannot reach conventional schools are being offered learning opportunities with community support, with a focus on girls and children from marginalised communities.
He noted that the issue of out-of-school children affects all of Pakistan, and that the government is working with social organisations and community-based organisations to address it.
Chihoo Ohashi said the tablets will support facilitators in teaching, learning, data management, coordination and monitoring. She added that facilitators will also gain access to teaching material, online training and professional development opportunities through the devices.
