The Sindh government has distributed 1,000 digital tablets to support non-formal education centers working to bring out-of-school children back into the education system.
The tablets were distributed at a ceremony held at the Scouts Auditorium in Karachi by the Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education, which operates under the Sindh School Education Department.
Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah handed over the devices to representatives of social and community-based organizations running non-formal education centers. JICA Pakistan Chief Advisor for Education and Literacy Chiho Ohashi also attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shah said the non-formal education initiative, launched in April 2025, has so far provided educational opportunities to around 100,000 out-of-school children in six districts of Sindh.
The program uses community-based education centers to reach children who are unable to attend conventional schools. Special attention is being given to girls and children from disadvantaged communities.
The minister said the initiative is not limited to providing digital devices. It has also supported 1,000 facilitators and strengthened 1,000 non-formal education centers across the province.
The newly distributed tablets are expected to improve the day-to-day management of these centers. Facilitators will be able to use them to communicate with teachers, record student attendance, maintain student data and monitor educational activities.
The tablets will also provide access to teaching and learning resources, online training and professional development opportunities for facilitators.
Minister Shah noted that the large number of out-of-school children remains a major challenge across Pakistan and requires cooperation among government departments, community organizations and local communities.
JICA's Chiho Ohashi said the digital devices would help improve teaching, learning and monitoring at the non-formal education centers while giving facilitators better access to educational materials and training.
The Sindh government's initiative is aimed at using community-based and digital approaches to expand access to education for children who remain outside the formal school system.
