ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – To mark International Education Week, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over two mobile libraries to the Capital Administration and Development Division (CA&DD) at a ceremony in a local school today. After the transfer agreement was signed, USAID’s Office Director for Education Dr. Christopher Steel formally presented the bus keys to Minister of State for CA&DD Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

“With these mobile libraries, we can make sure that good books are reaching children who want to read and helping them become good readers,” said Dr. Steel.  “I am happy that through today’s commitment, we are continuing this tradition of supporting Pakistan in its efforts to promote education, strengthen its education system and develop a national culture of reading.”

The mobile libraries will increase the availability of reading materials for children in Islamabad and surrounding areas. For the past two years, the USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project has operated the mobile libraries, visiting 338 schools and reaching nearly 65,000 children in Islamabad and Sindh. After each visit, the libraries leave behind a set of books so that children can continue to read. So far the mobile libraries have distributed 53,479 books during school visits.

The Pakistan Reading Project supports Pakistan’s provincial and regional Departments of Education in helping improve children’s reading skills.  For more information on the United States’ assistance for education in Pakistan, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/pakistan/education