KARACHI: To address one of Sindh’s most pressing education challenges, the provincial government and the United Nations on Thursday pledged joint action to reduce the number of out-of-school children through a new five-year plan focused on enrollment, retention and quality learning.
The pledge was made during a meeting at Chief Minister House between Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan Mohamed Yahya. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for sustainable development, climate resilience and social protection.
The meeting, attended among others by senior provincial ministers and UN officials including UNICEF Sindh’s Prem Chand Bahadur, also reviewed progress under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
According to a press statement issued by the CM House, Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that the partnership with the UN had already helped improve school infrastructure, strengthen teacher training, and develop long-term strategies to tackle the crisis of out-of-school children.
He said that education remained the strongest instrument for social transformation. “We are committed to creating inclusive and equitable learning opportunities, particularly for children from vulnerable and marginalised communities,” he said.
The meeting was informed that Benazir Nashonuma Centres strength had reached 1.6 million women and children with water and sanitation access for 1.8 million people.
Both sides also agreed to mark United Nations Day 2026 on Oct 24 as a province-wide Cultural Day.
Culture Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah said that Sindh had always been a land of diversity and tolerance. “This Cultural Day will showcase our heritage while promoting global understanding,” he said.
The chief minister said that the United Nations had remained a trusted development partner in floods and health emergencies. “With their support, we are building a more resilient future,” he added.
The UN representative said: “Our shared objective is a resilient, inclusive and prosperous Sindh where no one is left behind”.
Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026
