Completion of USAID funded SBEP celebrated

USAID invests $159.2 million to build 106 schools, strengthen the education sector in Sindh

KARACHI:

The Sindh government, in partnership with the United States, celebrated the successful completion of the Sindh Basic Education Programme (SBEP) at a ceremony held at Governemnt School Damba Village, Karachi.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) invested $159.2 million to build 106 schools and strengthen the education sector in Sindh. The Ambassador of the United States Donald Blome, former minister for Sindh Education and Literacy Department Syed Sardar Ali Shah and Sindh Secretary School Education and Literacy Department Dr. Shereen Mustafa attended the ceremony. "We firmly believe that it is one of the best investments we can make in any country," the ambassador said. "Let's continue to expand access to education, prioritise learning, so that all children can get quality education."

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SBEP was developed in response to the devastating floods, which destroyed the school infrastructure in Sindh. Now, 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 will serve as safe havens for neighboring communities as well 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.