Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 23 November 2023

UNDP

PRESS RELEASE

UNDP Pakistan Renovates and Equips Government Girls High School in Quetta

Quetta, November 23, 2023 - UNDP Pakistan, in collaboration with the District Education Department Quetta, organized an event today to inaugurate the recently renovated and equipped Government Girls High School at Killi Ismail. Mr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, along with officials from the Education Department, teachers, students, and community members attended the event.

UNDP Pakistan successfully implemented the renovation of the school under promoting the COVID-19 Response and Public Services Capacity in Balochistan Pakistan for Accelerating SDGs Delivery Project funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) from the Government of China.

China Ambassador H.E. Jiang Zaidong praised the close cooperation between UNDP and China in promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and assisting the economic and social development of developing countries. He states that “UNDP and China jointly implemented the “small yet smart” project in Balochistan Province, playing a positive role in post-epidemic recovery and post-flood reconstruction in local communities”.

During the event, Mr. Samuel Rizk emphasized the immense importance of girls’ education, stating that, “Education is not only a fundamental right of everyone but also a vital tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving sustainable development. We must ensure that every girl has access to quality education, enabling them to realize their full potential and contribute to a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

The opening of the Government Girls High School Killi Ismail signifies a major achievement in enhancing the education sector, especially for girls, across multiple project districts like Quetta, Gwadar, Nushki, Killa Abdulla, and Gwadar. This initiative not only furnished the school with expertise in epidemic prevention and control but also delivered vital amenities and oversaw construction for a more conducive educational setting.

The school administration and officials from the Quetta District Education Office expressed their satisfaction with the renovation work, which included the construction of washrooms, provision of science lab apparatus, and new furniture. The students and teachers also commended the efforts of UNDP, which had done a marvellous job in reshaping the schools according to their needs. These newly added facilities will provide the girls with a conducive learning environment, enabling them to pursue quality education with a sense of comfort and satisfaction.

The UNDP Pakistan remains committed to its mission of promoting sustainable development and improving the education sector, particularly for girls, in Pakistan. Through partnerships and collaborations, it aims to empower individuals and communities, ensuring equal access to quality education for all.

This school renovation is part of the "Balochistan Sustainable Development Goals Accelerated Delivery Project” funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) of China and jointly implemented by UNDP and the Planning and Development Department Government of Balochistan. Since January 2022 of this partnership, we have worked together to ensure improved access to education for more than 8,000 children mostly girls, by rehabilitating 25 out of 43 schools in Nushki, Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Quetta, and Gwadar districts while 19 schools are in process of being rehabilitated and  planned to be completed by the year 2024. Building the capacity of government officials is also an integral part of the project to increase their capacity for better planning and project management to achieve the SDGs agenda.

For additional information, please contact Shuja Hakim at Shuja.Hakim@undp.org  or +92 (51) 835 5657

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