The Sindh government has distributed 1,000 digital tablets as part of an initiative to strengthen non-formal education and provide learning opportunities to children who are out of school.
The tablets were distributed during a ceremony 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 the ceremony as the chief guest. JICA Pakistan Chief Advisor for Education and Literacy Chiho Ohashi also participated in the event.
The education minister distributed the tablets among representatives of social organisations and community-based organisations operating non-formal education centres across Sindh.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shah said the province launched its non-formal education programme in April 2025. He said the initiative had so far connected around 100,000 out-of-school children in six districts with educational opportunities.
The minister said the programme is designed for children who cannot attend conventional schools. Local communities and organisations are helping provide these children with access to education, with particular attention to girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Shah said the distribution of the 1,000 tablets was not simply about providing digital devices. He described the initiative as a way to empower 1,000 facilitators and strengthen 1,000 non-formal education centres.
The tablets will be used for several educational and administrative activities. Facilitators will be able to communicate with teachers, monitor student attendance, manage data and track educational activities through the devices.
The initiative is also expected to improve access to teaching resources and support the digital management of non-formal education centres.
JICA Chief Advisor Chiho Ohashi said the tablets would help facilitators with teaching, learning, data management, communication and monitoring. The devices will also provide access to teaching materials, online training and professional development opportunities.
The Sindh education minister said the issue of out-of-school children is not limited to Sindh and remains a nationwide challenge. He stressed the need for governments, social organisations and community-based organisations to work together to expand educational access.
The tablet distribution is part of broader efforts to use technology and community-based education to reach children who remain outside the formal school system. The government expects the digital tools to help facilitators improve learning activities while keeping better records of students and their progress.
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