Sightsavers, the National Education Foundation (NEF) and the Pakistan Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (PIRS) have entered into a five-year partnership to implement a School Health Integrated Programme for children enrolled in non-formal schools managed by NEF.
The programme aims to address health and disability-related barriers that can affect children’s participation, learning and retention in school. It will bring essential screening and support services closer to children in underserved communities, with a focus on early identification and timely assistance.
Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, she said: “Education is not limited to classrooms; it also requires ensuring that children are healthy, supported and able to participate fully in the learning process. This partnership is an important step towards making education more inclusive and equitable.”
Under the initiative, more than 7,000 children will be screened for vision, hearing and physical health conditions. Children identified with vision impairment will receive spectacles free of cost, while those requiring hearing or disability-related support will be provided appropriate assistive devices, including hearing aids and low-vision devices.
The programme will also include teacher training, awareness sessions, referrals and follow-up support, while promoting inclusion, gender parity and child safeguarding across all activities.
Syeda Munazza Gillani, Director Pakistan and Middle East, Sightsavers, said that every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn and reach their full potential, regardless of disability or circumstance. By extending health and disability screening and support to children in non-formal education schools, this programme will help identify barriers that can affect participation and learning outcomes. Our partnership with NEF and PIRS is an important step towards making education more inclusive and ensuring that children who are often underserved are not left behind. She further added that Sightsavers will scale up the eye health screening component further in GB with health and education departments and Agha Khan Foundation supported school.
Tahira M. Sharif, Managing Director, NEF, said the collaboration would strengthen support for children in underserved communities and help address barriers affecting their learning and retention. She said the initiative would further strengthen NEF’s efforts to provide children with a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Maj Gen (R) Dr Farrukh Seir, Executive Director, PIRS, said PIRS would lead the screening and community-level implementation, ensuring timely referrals and rehabilitation support for children requiring further assistance. He said early identification and appropriate rehabilitation services can play an important role in enabling children to participate more effectively in education and daily life.
The partnership brings together the expertise of Sightsavers in eye health and disability inclusion, NEF’s network of non-formal education schools, and PIRS’s rehabilitation and health expertise to provide an integrated approach to children’s wellbeing and educational participation.
