KARACHI: In a significant move to tackle the education crisis, the Government of Sindh has reached a consensus on a comprehensive five-year multi-sectoral roadmap aimed at enrolling out-of-school children (OOSC) across the province. The decision was made during a high-level joint meeting co-chaired by Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah and Minister for Irrigation, Planning & Development Jam Khan Shoro. The meeting was attended by Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary School Education Zahid Ali Abbasi, and UNICEF representatives including Chief Prem Bahadur Chand.
The 2030 Target and Strategic Goals
The roadmap sets an ambitious target to bring 50% of out-of-school children back into the formal education system by the year 2030. Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah stated that illiteracy, poverty, and child labor are major hurdles to socio-economic growth, emphasizing that the government must address the root causes of school dropouts with a specific focus on female education and gender balance.
Integrated Strategy and Implementation
To ensure the roadmap’s success, the Planning & Development Department will act as the central coordinator, bringing together Education, Health, Social Protection, Local Government, and Finance departments. For effective implementation, a Special Delivery Unit and a Digital Dashboard will be established to ensure real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making. The provincial government also plans to augment resources through partnerships with international donors and the private sector to bridge the funding gap.
Incentives and Special Measures
To support impoverished households, the government will introduce educational scholarships, conditional cash transfers, and attendance-linked incentives. Special emphasis will be placed on providing safe transport and improved school infrastructure for girls. Furthermore, the plan includes Non-Formal Education (NFE), “Second Chance” programs, and vocational training, particularly for areas affected by floods and climate change. The final proposals of this roadmap will be submitted to the Chief Minister of Sindh for formal approval.
