Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has set an ambitious goal to enroll 300,000 out-of-school children by launching 300 Micro Schools and hiring over 600 women learning facilitators. In a recent board meeting at CM House on Thursday, Shah allocated Rs800 million for this initiative, aimed at enhancing educational outreach and support.
The meeting, chaired by Shah, included key figures such as Minister of Education Syed Sardar Shah, Chief Secretary AsifHyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary School Education ZahidAbbasi, Secretary Finance FayazJatoi, and SEF Managing Director KaziKabir. Board members Qaisar Bengali, Dr. QaziMasood, Dr. Mohammad Memon, and others were also present. Additionally, the Chief Minister approved the expansion of the Accelerated Digital Learning (ADL) program in collaboration with the Teach the World Foundation, reflecting a commitment to advancing digital education and reaching underserved communities.
The ADL phase II would be for three years. Murad Shah targeted the SEF MD KaziKabir to bring 300,000 out-of-school children back to school in 2025 by establishing 300 Digital Micro Schools. He also directed the MD SEF to engage over 600 Women Learning Facilitators to facilitate the teaching process. MD SEF told the CM that the cost of a student would come to Rs2,200 in the next ADL Phase-II, therefore the CM approved Rs800 million for SEF. MD SEF KaziKabir told the CM that there was a one million enrolment in 2734 schools, 35 Peoples Schools, 223 Centers and 125 Macro schools. 4452 students were being given scholarships. 804 scholarship holders have passed out.
The CM directed the SEF to enhance outreach and access to every district. At present, the SEF has officers in six regions and 23 districts. He also said that by 2025-26 the SEF has to launch 1000 Digital classrooms and kick off Learn to Earn – Skill development so that passed-out children could earn their livelihood. Minister of Education Sardar Shah informed the Chief Minister that six public schools, which were previously without proper shelter and non-functional, are now being made operational through SEF. To a question, the Minister of Education told the CM that the SEF spent Rs16,000 per student per month.
The CM was told that the annual budget of SEF was Rs15,955 million which was not enough. At this, the CM directed Secretary Finance FayazJatoi to review the budgetary allocations of the SEF and in case of any shortfall suggest ways and measures. The CM was told that the third party has been engaged to audit the SEF accounts for the years 2021-22 to 2023-24. MD SEF KaziKabir informed the CM that the Endowment Fund of SEF is Rs2,850 million. So far, Rs1,218.893 million has been generated, and now the Endowment Fund has reached Rs4,068.893 million. Additionally, the Gratuity Fund has been invested, resulting in a profit of Rs52.256 million. The chief minister was told that the Accelerated Digital Learning Program (ADLP) with Teach the World Foundation (pilot) was approved by the Board of Governors and Cabinet in 2023 for Rs. 710 million for approximately 12,500 learners. 57 Microschools established nine in-school interventions and 5700 plus 1000 learners enrolled. The pilot is meeting its key performance indicators (KPIs), demonstrating the capacity to meet set targets efficiently. The SEF has developed game-based educational apps on low-cost digital devices, which has attracted Out of School and offer digital literacy equipping with essential skills. At least 60 per cent of students will be mainstreamed as per KPI.
