Pakistan’s geographical positioning makes it susceptible to a range of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides. These calamities have historically inflicted significant damage on the nation’s infrastructure, with educational institutions bearing a substantial brunt. Recognizing the critical need for resilient educational facilities, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with UN-Habitat and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Education Department, has been instrumental in fortifying school infrastructures to withstand natural disasters.
The Imperative for Resilient Educational Infrastructure
Educational institutions are foundational pillars of society, serving as centers for learning and community engagement. In disaster-prone regions, the destruction of schools disrupts education and can lead to long-term socio-economic challenges. The 2022 floods in Pakistan, for instance, resulted in unprecedented damage, with over 7,500 government schools fully destroyed and more than 12,000 partially damaged. This devastation underscored the pressing need for constructing and retrofitting schools to be disaster-resilient, ensuring the safety of students and the continuity of education.
JICA’s Commitment to Disaster-Resilient Schools
In response to these challenges, JICA has undertaken several initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of school infrastructure in Pakistan:
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Capacity Building for Engineers: In March 2023, JICA organized training sessions in Karachi to equip engineers with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and construct schools capable of withstanding climate-induced disasters. This initiative emphasized the importance of rebuilding educational facilities not just to their original state but with enhanced resilience to future hazards.
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Financial Support for School Reconstruction: Demonstrating its commitment, the Government of Japan provided a grant of approximately 471 million Japanese Yen to UN-Habitat for the “Improvement of Disaster Resilient Schools Infrastructure” project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This funding is designated for the reconstruction and retrofitting of 150 schools, the construction of 12 new schools, and the enhancement of sanitation and hygiene facilities.
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Implementation of the Sendai Framework: JICA’s initiatives align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, aiming to reduce the loss of lives, the number of people affected, and economic damages from natural disasters. By promoting structural and non-structural measures, JICA contributes to creating safer learning environments and building resilient communities.
Collaborative Efforts and Progress
The success of these initiatives is amplified through collaboration with various stakeholders:
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UN-Habitat’s Role: UN-Habitat has been pivotal in executing projects that promote the resilience of educational infrastructures. Their efforts include structural and non-structural measures and the provision of necessary service infrastructure, such as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. Notably, retrofitted schools have witnessed an increase in female enrollment and attendance, with girls comprising up to 44% of the beneficiaries in some institutions. This progress highlights the project’s positive impact on gender equality in education.
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KP Education Department’s Involvement: The Elementary and Secondary Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has expressed gratitude for the support in building resilient school infrastructure. Emphasizing the importance of earthquake-resistant buildings, the department remains committed to ensuring safe and accessible learning spaces for all students.
Challenges and the Path Forward
While significant strides have been made, challenges persist:
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Resource Constraints: Despite the substantial financial assistance, the scale of destruction necessitates further resources to rebuild and retrofit all affected schools.
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Capacity Building: Continuous training programs are essential to keep engineers and architects updated on the latest techniques in disaster-resilient construction.
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Community Engagement: Involving local communities in the planning and implementation processes ensures that the reconstructed schools meet the specific needs of the students and are maintained effectively.
Looking ahead, sustained collaboration among JICA, UN-Habitat, the KP Education Department, and other stakeholders is crucial. Expanding these initiatives to other disaster-prone regions in Pakistan can further enhance the resilience of the nation’s educational infrastructure.
JICA’s proactive approach in strengthening school infrastructure in Pakistan serves as a model for disaster resilience. Through comprehensive strategies encompassing financial support, capacity building, and collaborative efforts, JICA has significantly contributed to creating safer educational environments. These initiatives not only protect the lives of students and educators but also ensure the uninterrupted pursuit of education, even in the face of natural calamities.
