A major $10 million education project has been launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to help thousands of out-of-school children return to classrooms and improve access to quality education.
The initiative, officially titled “Out of School Children Project”, is supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The agreement was signed on January 19, 2026.
It will be implemented by the Elementary and Secondary Education Department of the AJK government and is expected to become operational soon.
The project focuses on identifying children who are not attending school, especially in remote and underserved mountainous areas. It will run enrollment drives, improve school buildings and facilities, and carry out strong community outreach programmes to encourage parents to send their children to school.
Officials say the programme aims to enroll and retain students by making schools more attractive and accessible. It will also promote inclusive and climate-resilient learning environments. Reports suggest the project is designed to directly benefit around 60,000 children across AJK.
This initiative is an important step towards raising literacy rates in the region. Many children in AJK miss school due to poverty, long distances, lack of proper facilities, and other social barriers.
The Islamic Development Bank has described the project as a way to restore every child’s right to education.
Local education authorities are hopeful that this support will bring positive change and help build a brighter future for the youth of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.