UNESCO Marks International Education Day with Smart Classrooms Initiative in Pakistan's Remote Districts

Pakistan's Push for Gender Equality in Education: UNESCO Unveils Smart Classrooms for 3,000 Girls

The gender gap in education in Pakistan remains a pressing issue. During the academic year 2022-23, around 21 million girls were enrolled in educational institutions, compared to 25 million boys, spanning from pre-primary through to degree level. This 7% lower enrollment rate for girls is a significant concern. Furthermore, a troubling 41.5% of girls are still out of school, in contrast to 34.9% of boys, from primary through to higher secondary education. These figures reflect a substantial disparity in access to education based on gender.

On the occasion of the International Day of Education 2025, UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, celebrated the event under the theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” As part of this celebration, they launched smart classrooms in 40 girls' primary schools across the districts of Bagh, Muzaffarabad, and Neelam Valley. This initiative falls under UNESCO’s Girls’ Right to Education Programme, which is funded by the Government of Pakistan through the Malala Funds-in-Trust agreement. The programme will improve girls’ enrolment, retention, and the quality of education in marginalized regions of the country.

The smart classrooms, benefiting 3,000 girls, aim to enhance education by offering modern technology and interactive tools, fostering creativity and personal growth. The Ministry supported the initiative by renovating school buildings, supplying essentials, and adding vibrant wall paintings to improve the learning environment. At the Girls Government Primary School in Upper Chattar, Muzaffarabad, Mr Mohyuddin Wani, Secretary of Federal Education, inaugurated the smart classrooms. The event was attended by key officials, including Mr Zaheer Uddin Qureshi, Brig. Tariq Sohail, Mr. Zafar Hayat Malik, and various education officials, teachers, students, and members of the School Management Committee, all expressed support for advancing girls' education.

Along with this, UNESCO will train 100 teachers from the targeted districts in ICT competencies, digital literacy, and integrating ICT into teaching. This program aims to enhance the effectiveness of the new smart classrooms and support long-term educational progress. Teachers and students expressed excitement about using digital technology to enhance learning. Teachers were eager to integrate modern tools into lessons, while students looked forward to exploring new resources to expand their knowledge and skills. The atmosphere was optimistic as they anticipated the transformative impact on education.

Editor’s Note:

UNESCO's initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the gender gap in education, particularly in marginalized regions of Pakistan. By integrating modern technology into girls’ primary schools and providing specialized training for teachers, this project will enhance educational access and empower young girls with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The smart classrooms, combined with the Ministry's efforts to improve infrastructure and learning environments, create an inclusive educational space where girls can thrive.

Skoobuzz views this event as a testament to UNESCO's commitment to ensuring equally accessible educational opportunities for girls while empowering them in the field of technology.