KARACHI: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has said high quality basic education positions every child for success and Washington firmly believes that it is one of the best investments that it can make in any country.
He said this while speaking at a programme held to celebrate the successful completion of the Sindh Basic Education Programme (SBEP) at a high school in Karachi’s Damba Goth on Friday.
“Let’s continue to expand access to education, prioritise learning, and scale these reforms across Sindh and all of Pakistan so that all children can thrive,” the envoy added.
The US diplomat visited different classrooms and sections of the schools and met with students there.
Former education minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and school education secretary Dr Shereen Mustafa also attended the closing ceremony.
Ambassador Blome meets students at school in Damba Goth; also calls on Sindh CM
SBEP, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), invested $159.2 million to build 106 schools and strengthen the education sector throughout Sindh, said a press release issued here.
The plan was developed in response to the devastating floods of 2010-11, which destroyed the school infrastructure in Sindh.At present, over 80,000 students from disadvantaged communities have access to top-tier education in modern, climate-resilient schools — equipping an entire generation with the skills and knowledge essential for 21st-century success.
These new schools not only survived the catastrophic 2022 floods, but also served as safe havens for neighbouring communities and as platforms for parent and community engagement.
In addition to building schools, the programme strengthened communities and introduced innovative school management models, paving the way for successful public-private partnerships that are now replicated in other provinces.
Congratulates Murad on becoming CM third time
Ambassador Blome also called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday and congratulated him on becoming the chief minister for the third time.
“I came to congratulate you before all diplomats,” he said to the CM, according to a press release issued from the CM House.
Both sides discussed the CM’s priorities for the third term, which include implementation of the 10-point agenda of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, complete restoration of law and order in the province, providing clean water to the people and working on the Karachi’s infrastructure including its public transport system. Providing social protection, poverty eradication in the province and creating more industrial job opportunities are also on his list.
The CM also said that he was going to take important steps for the development of education, strengthen the economy through industrial and agricultural development while also completing other development work that he had started in Sindh earlier.
The ambassador also said that the US government would provide all possible support for the development of Sindh, which includes more work in the education sector.
Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2024
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