JICA delegation visits Literacy Centres in Lahore

JICA delegation visits Literacy Centres in Lahore

LAHORE: A high-level delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited Middle-Tech Literacy Centres in Lahore following an invitation from Literacy and Non-Formal Education Secretary Syed Haider Iqbal.

The delegation included JICA President Dr. Akihiro Tanaka, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Shuichi Akamatsu, and JICA Pakistan Chief Representative Yusuke Shinozaki. During the visit, the officials toured literacy centres in Fatah Garh and Tajpura, reviewed the facilities available to students, and observed the teaching and learning activities.

The delegation also interacted with students and distributed gifts among them. JICA representatives further handed over Package E textbooks to students who had completed Package D, enabling them to continue their education and move on to the next stage of their learning journey.

During the visit, Secretary Literacy Syed Haider Iqbal briefed the Japanese delegation on the department’s ongoing initiatives for non-formal education. He highlighted projects being implemented with JICA’s support, along with other programmes aimed at improving access to education for children and young people who remain outside the formal schooling system.

The secretary also outlined the department’s future plans and targets for expanding literacy, strengthening non-formal education and promoting skills development across Punjab.

The JICA delegation appreciated the efforts of the Literacy and Non-Formal Education Department to improve literacy rates and provide educational opportunities to underserved communities across the province. The officials also acknowledged the department’s efforts to equip learners with skills that can contribute to their personal development and future economic opportunities.

The meeting also focused on strengthening cooperation between the Literacy Department and JICA to expand educational opportunities for out-of-school children. Both sides discussed ways to enhance their partnership and explore further areas of collaboration to bring more children into the education system.

The visit underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing educational challenges and expanding access to learning opportunities, particularly for children who have been unable to attend mainstream schools.