The Sindh Technical Assistance for Development through Enhanced Education Programme (STA DEEP) has wrapped up its five-year journey, marking substantial gains for over 55,000 students across the province. Supported by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF, STA DEEP introduced an innovative decentralized management model in Sindh’s education system, empowering local schools with advanced tools for digital monitoring, enhanced teacher training, and greater administrative autonomy.
In a closing statement, Zahid Ali Abbasi, Secretary of Education for the School Education and Literacy Department (SELD), expressed pride in the achievements under STA DEEP, particularly the school clustering model. This approach, he noted, has strengthened the oversight of schools while bolstering the skills of teachers and administrators. Abbasi extended his gratitude to the EU and UNICEF for their invaluable support in implementing a globally recognized system that improves the quality and equity of education across Sindh.
Historically, Sindh’s education system relied on a centralized model. However, STA DEEP introduced a decentralized approach by clustering 400 schools into 20 pilot clusters across 14 districts, allowing local school heads greater control over decision-making, budget allocation, and administrative responsibilities. This model, designed with SELD’s input, is part of a broader shift aimed at aligning schools more closely with community needs and enhancing the overall educational experience.
The EU’s Head of Cooperation, Jeroen Willems, lauded the partnership’s success. While EU’s financial support for this phase has concluded, Willems emphasized that the achievements from STA DEEP should guide further efforts to make quality education accessible to every child in Sindh. The EU, committed to this vision, will continue supporting education through the Global Partnership for Education, where it and its Member States serve as the largest contributors.
STA DEEP focused heavily on modernizing teaching methods, ensuring teachers’ continuous professional growth. Each cluster school integrated active learning strategies, which inspired higher student motivation and enriched learning environments.
Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, praised the program’s innovative approach to decentralizing school systems. By shifting authority from the provincial to the district level, Fadil anticipates that the pilot will serve as a blueprint for more extensive reforms across Sindh, promoting sustainable change in educational quality and accessibility.
To support these initiatives, STA DEEP introduced a sophisticated digital monitoring system across 40,000 schools in Sindh, leveraging biometric devices for tracking teacher attendance and data collection tools for monitoring school infrastructure and enrollment. This comprehensive system has significantly improved accountability and resource management, helping to advance the long-term educational outcomes for Sindh’s students.