Karachi: The School Education Department, Sindh, has secured Rs 60 million in support for international-standard educational competitions and certification programs, under which students of government schools will be provided opportunities to participate in various global-level academic competitions.
This has opened up new opportunities for talented students of Sindh’s public schools to participate in international educational competitions and showcase their abilities at the global level.
In this regard, a Letter of Understanding (LOU) was signed between the School Education Department, Sindh, the Singapore International Mastery Contests Centre (SIMCC) and International Contests and Assessments (ICA) under the leadership of Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah, said a statement on Tuesday.
Secretary School Education Zahid Ali Abbasi, Special Secretary School Education, President of SIMCC Singapore Henry Ong, Chief Executive Officer of ICA Makhdoom Hussain Bhatti, students and their parents att
ended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that the initiative is an important step towards connecting talented students of Sindh’s public schools with the world and showcasing their abilities at the international level.
He said that many children with exceptional potential are left behind due to a lack of opportunities, while every child possesses the potential to excel.
The government, he said, would strive to provide talented children from remote and underserved areas with opportunities to advance through international educational competitions.
He said that participation in international competitions would not only provide students with an opportunity to assess their abilities against global standards but would also help identify their academic strengths, areas of excellence and areas requiring improvement.
Syed Sardar Ali Shah said securing this support is a major milestone in bringing the talent of Sindh’s public school students to the global
stage.
The Singapore International Mastery Contests Centre (SIMCC) is a recognized platform for international academic competitions for students worldwide. It conducts global-standard competitions in various fields, including mathematics, science, computer science, artificial intelligence, cyber security and the arts.
The organization not only assesses students’ academic abilities against international standards but also connects them with opportunities related to scholarships, portfolio development and future careers.
Speaking on the occasion, SIMCC President Henry Ong said that assessing students’ academic abilities against global standards and providing them with opportunities to progress is one of the organization’s core objectives.
He said that, alongside competitions, quality educational books, teaching resources and guidance are also provided to students and teachers.
He noted that students from private schools participate in international competitions every year, but for the first time, similar o
pportunities and support would also be extended to students of Sindh’s public schools.
According to Henry Ong, out of a total grant of Rs 174 million allocated for students in Pakistan, SIMCC has earmarked Rs 60 million for Sindh. The support will provide students of government schools across the province with new opportunities to participate in international educational competitions.
International Contests and Assessments (ICA) is an important platform connecting students in Pakistan with international educational competitions and assessments.
ICA Chief Executive Officer Makhdoom Hussain Bhatti said that the organisation is playing an important role in taking Pakistani students from local classrooms to global academic competitions.
He said that the participation of Pakistani students in several international competitions organised by SIMCC is facilitated through ICA, while students are also given opportunities to compete with talented students from different countries through global Olympiads and interna
tional academic competitions.
The ceremony was informed that students who demonstrate outstanding performance in international competitions can not only establish their capabilities at the global level but may also gain access to various educational and career opportunities in the future.
Students from Aga Khan Schools, Beaconhouse School and other private schools who have achieved distinction at the international level were also recognized during the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah distributed certificates among students who had demonstrated outstanding performance at the international level and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.
