Models of Educational Innovation – JICA:

As part of the ongoing Models of Educational Innovation series, LUMS SOE held a session with JICA to present its model on Non Formal Education. The session was moderated by Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Director Academics and Associate Professor at SOE. The panel included Mr. Abid Gill Hussain – Deputy Chief Advisor, JICA, Dr. Tariq H. Cheema – Country Director, Alight Pakistan and Dr. Shafqat Janjua - Director Education, National Commission for Human Development, NCHD, Pakistan.

Mr. Abid Gill from JICA shared the complexities around the challenge of out of school children (OOSC) in terms of problems of access and quality of education. To address it, JICA has created an accelerated learning programme (ALP) with different packages to target children in different age groups and intends to integrate a literacy and skills programme under its AQAL project. ALP curriculum may also help in mitigating learning losses accumulated during COVID-19 school closure. It is suitable for people who have some basic literacy and numeracy skills, and are of a certain age. Hence, this cannot be replicated in the mainstream formal school model. The outcome of the programme is evaluated internally and through external third party organizations by designing studies and interventions.

Dr. Shafqat Janjua from National Commission for Human Development commented on the success of JICA’s ALP by piloting the project in 100 madaris. The children will be able to complete primary education within 32 months. This especially is beneficial as it offers an option to children to either enroll in formal education after completion of the short programme or to be enrolled in a vocational training institute contrary to the formal education which lacks flexibility in this regard.

Dr. Tariq H. Cheema highlighted the importance of academic partnerships by working in close alliance with JICA as its implementation partner. With the help of JICA as a donor and a partner in curriculum creation recognized by governmental organizations, Alight is close to enrolling and reaching a million mark in OOSC.

The session received an overwhelming response from the participants and ended with a Q/A segment. One of the questions from the audience was about the use of digital platforms in non-formal education. The panelists concurred with the idea to expand the presence of digital learning but realized the operational limitations of technology as of now.