AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, May 16, 2014 (PPI-OT): On May 15, 2014, H. E. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan visited the Non Formal Basic Education Centre and the Culture Literacy Centre in Sheikhupura district, Punjab. He observed progress in non-formal education in Pakistan, which has been supported by Japan over the years.
Pakistan’s literacy rate among those aged 10 and above was 58%* in 2011/12, which was one of the lowest among South Asian countries. To address this significant challenge, Punjab government established the Literacy and Non-formal Basic Education Department (LNFBED) in 2002, and the Government of Japan has been supporting this effort since 2004 through a series of technical cooperation projects for strengthening non-formal education.
Currently, in collaboration with LNFBED, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been implementing the Non-Formal Education Promotion Project and a Japanese expert sent by JICA is engaged in developing curricula for non-formal basic education and adult literacy, establishing the system of teacher training as well as assessment methods and tools. Through this project, 500,000 people, of which 70 percent are female, have been provided educational opportunities.
The Government of Japan continues to support promoting girls’ education and women’s social participation so that we could help to create “a society in which women shine” which was emphasized in the Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo Abe’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly last September. Promoting non-formal education is one of the important areas which we need to address in pursuing the goal of creating such society.
Ambassador Inomata expressed his pleasure at seeing girls learning hard using educational materials supported by Japan, and emphasized Japan’s commitment to ensure access to education for all people especially girls and women in Pakistan.
For more information, contact:
Embassy of Japan
53-70, Ramna 5/4, Diplomatic Enclave 1
Islamabad 44000
Pakistan (P.O. Box 1119, Islamabad, Pakistan)
Tel: +92-51-9072500
Fax: +92-51-9072352
Email: culture@ib.mofa.go.jp
http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp