Flood-affected schools: Efforts to restore progressing successfully: Minister

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah has said that the Sindh government’s efforts to restore flood-affected schools are progressing successfully.

Despite limited resources, more than 5,600 schools across the province have been reconstructed or rehabilitated with the support of various international development partners.

He said the government’s unwavering commitment is to ensure that no child in Sindh is deprived of education simply because their school was destroyed by natural disasters.

He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed building of Government Elementary School Radho Jokhio in Gadap Town, District Malir, alongside the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi.

The school has been constructed with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The ceremony was attended by Member of the Sindh Assembly Raja Abdul Razzaq, MPA Yousuf Baloch, Secretary School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi, representatives of JICA, officials of the School Education Department, teachers, students, parents and members of the local community.

The Education Minister said the Sindh Government is actively promoting quality education through strong partnerships with international development organizations.

He noted that, with the support of the Government of Japan, the project to upgrade girls’ primary schools to elementary schools in rural Sindh is being implemented successfully, enabling girls to access quality education in a safe learning environment closer to their homes.

He further stated that nine flood-affected girls’ primary schools damaged during the devastating floods of 2022 have been reconstructed with JICA’s assistance. In addition, 54 girls’ primary schools in 12 districts have been upgraded to elementary schools with improved educational facilities.

He added that, to further improve learning outcomes, some schools are also being managed through Education Management Organizations (EMOs). Syed Sardar Ali Shah emphasized that girls’ schools remain the government’s highest priority in school reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, as the objective is to provide girls in rural areas with safe, modern and quality educational facilities.

He said that by placing education at the forefront, the government is nurturing a generation that will be equipped to address future national challenges, including climate change, through knowledge, innovation and scientific expertise.

The Minister appealed to local communities to take collective responsibility for protecting public schools in their respective areas. “Every school being built belongs to your children and represents their future. Protecting these schools is a shared responsibility of the community,” he said.

He described educational cooperation between Pakistan and Japan as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries and appreciated Japan’s continued support for improving educational opportunities in Sindh. Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi said that education is the foundation of sustainable development and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Sindh in providing better, safer and more conducive learning environments for girls.

He informed the audience that Japan has supported the upgrading of 74 girls’ schools in Sindh through three grant projects. These upgraded schools are expected to benefit approximately 2,400 girls every year, enabling them to continue their education closer to their homes.

The Ambassador said the initiative reflects Japan’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equality in Pakistan and will contribute significantly towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education (SDG 4) and Gender Equality (SDG 5).

He also appreciated the Sindh Government’s commitment to ensuring the effective deployment of teachers and school staff and reaffirmed Japan’s continued partnership with the Government of Sindh in the education sector. Secretary School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi said that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is one of the Sindh Government’s key development partners.

He noted that JICA is supporting the School Education Department in school reconstruction and rehabilitation, expanding elementary education for girls, bringing out-of-school children back into education through non-formal education programmes, strengthening teachers’ professional capacity, and improving technical and vocational education.

He said this partnership is making a significant contribution towards promoting inclusive, equitable and sustainable education across Sindh.

Following the ceremony, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and the Japanese Ambassador toured various sections of Government Elementary School Radho Jokhio.

The Minister interacted with the students, discussed their educational activities, and encouraged them to attend school regularly, study with dedication, and work hard to build a bright future.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026