Karachi: Government of Japan agreed to provide new grant assistance worth around $ 12.7 million for upgrading girls’ primary schools into elementary schools in rural Sindh.

Ambassador of Japan WADA Mitsuhiro, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) KINOSHITA Yasumitsu, Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs Dr. Kazim Niaz attended signing ceremony for assistance at Ministry of Economic Affairs, said news release issued here by Japan Embassy in Pakistan.

WADA Mitsuhiro said, “This project will also be implemented in areas affected by devastating flood last year.

KINOSHITA said, “As some of target districts of project were affected by flood last year, we hope that new grant aid project will bring hope back to brave and resilient girl students and keep them motivated so that they remain on track for “Learning continuity”, during post floods recovery phase”.

Project has been conceived keeping in view of fact that number of middle and elementary schools is much lower (2,162) than primary schools (35,377) in rural Sindh.

Particular issue is also adversely affecting primary school students’ retention and is biggest cause of students’ dropout from school. Net enrollment rate for lower-secondary education (grades 6-8) is 49 percent (boys 53 percent, girls 45 percent). Girls in government schools drop out drastically from primary education as middle or high schools are not available in close vicinity, particularly in rural Sindh.

According to Alif Alan, accessibility distance hinders girls’ education more (13 percent dropout due to access) than boys (5 percent dropout due to access).

This is third grant aid through which Japan will be upgrading 20 new girls’ primary schools into elementary schools, which brings total number of schools provided with Japan’s assistance to 74.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 11 2023

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