08/10/2026
The GPE Delegation along with the UNICEF Grant Agent Visits PEIMA to Discuss Educational Development and Support for Children in Remote Areas
The GPE delegation including Mr. Javier Luque, Country Engagement Lead, GPE; Mr. Nooruddin Shah, Country Program Officer, GPE, along with UNICEF delegates Mr. Ibrahim Farah, Education Manager, UNICEF Country Office; Mr. Kamran Iftikhar Lone, Education Manager, Punjab, Ms. RUBINA Nadeem, Education Specialist, Punjab UNICEF; and Ms. Saher Raza UNICEF, visited the Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority (PEIMA) today, 07 October 2026, at 1:00 PM.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Imtiaz Shahid (Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PEIMA), along with Mr. Shakil Bhatti (Member, PEIMA Authority Board). Senior officers of PEIMA and members of the GPE and UNICEF delegations participated in the discussion.
During the meeting, PEIMA shared a comprehensive overview of its history, mandate, major achievements, ongoing initiatives and contribution towards improving access to quality education across Punjab.
The participants held detailed discussions on:
• PEIMA’s progress and key achievements
• Existing challenges and areas requiring further improvement
• Educational needs of children, particularly those living in remote and underserved areas
• Strengthening school facilities and improving access to quality education
• Monitoring, data-driven planning and institutional capacity
• Areas where support and facilitation from the Government of Punjab, GPE and UNICEF can contribute to improved outcomes
• Possible practical and sustainable solutions to address identified challenges
Special emphasis was placed on adopting a child-centred approach, ensuring that children in remote and disadvantaged communities are provided equitable access to educational opportunities, improved learning environments and necessary facilities.
The GPE delegation greatly appreciated PEIMA’s dedicated efforts towards reaching the most marginalised and underserved communities and ensuring that children in remote areas are not left behind. GPE representatives acknowledged PEIMA’s important role in expanding educational access and expressed their commitment to supporting efforts that advance equitable, inclusive and quality education for the most marginalised children, in line with GPE’s core objective of ensuring that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their location or circumstances.
The PEIMA team, GPE delegation and UNICEF delegation openly shared their views, experiences and recommendations and discussed opportunities for collaboration and coordinated interventions. The delegations particularly appreciated the opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue on strengthening education delivery and addressing barriers faced by children in underserved communities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue working towards inclusive, accessible and quality education for every child, with particular attention to communities where educational access and facilities require further strengthening, and to support sustainable efforts that ensure the most marginalised children are reached and provided meaningful opportunities to learn and thrive.
Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority (PEIMA)
Government of the Punjab
