The signing ceremony marked a renewed commitment to strengthening Non-Formal Education (NFE) across all provinces and areas of Pakistan. The RD was signed by:

Mr. Naoaki Miata, Chief Representative, JICA Pakistan

Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, Secretary, MoFEPT

Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Balochistan

Special Secretary, School Education & Literacy Department (SE&LD), Sindh

Special Secretary, Elementary & Secondary Education Department (E&SED), KP

Director General, Literacy & NFBE Department

Senior Joint Secretary, Economic Affairs Division

Key Highlights of AQAL Phase III:

Scaling up of Accelerated Learning Programmes (ALP) Primary and Middle-Tech, and Literacy & Skill Programs

Introduction of ALP Matric-Tech, a new stream to provide secondary-level alternative education linked with skills

Integration of digital technology into ALP models for enhanced reach and quality

Revision and implementation of updated NFE policies and strategic plans at the provincial/area level

In his opening remarks, Mr. Naoaki Miata highlighted the importance of investing in non-formal education as a crucial pathway to address the Out-of-School Children (OOSC) crisis. A detailed briefing on AQAL III was given by Mr. Yano Taiga, followed by the formal signing of the RD by all relevant stakeholders.

Secretary MoFEPT, Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, extended his gratitude to JICA for its longstanding partnership and continued support in transforming Pakistan’s education landscape.

AQAL3 promises to build on past successes and take bold strides to ensure inclusive, quality education for all—especially for the millions of children still out of school.