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or Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, 2025 is not just another year, it is an institutional milestone. The ITA proudly marks 25 years of a mission-driven journey to understand and address the barriers children face in accessing quality education across Pakistan. From the very beginning, the organisation has recognised the complex interplay of household, school and societal bottlenecks, while relying on the power of alliances and partnerships—within Pakistan and beyond its borders.
Covering the first quarter of the 21st Century, ITA’s presence has meant a deep engagement with the evolving field of neuroscience on how children learn, the dazzling pace of technology and AI and the harsh realities of climate change and other emergencies. Our response has been tested in nine major emergencies including the devastating 2005 earthquake, the Covid-19 pandemic and recurring floods, each demanding resilience, innovation and reinvention. From humble beginnings in one municipal school in Lahore with 450 students, the ITA has reached over 18 million children, youth and adults in marginalised communities and contexts, creating holistic learning opportunities.
The journey has been powered by research-based learning solutions, explorations rooted in local heritage and bold programming that connects Pakistan to global conversations. Since 2005, the organisation has built South Asian and global partnerships, guided by our conviction that education, culture and science are the true instruments of lasting diplomacy. With that same spirit, and bolstered by allies in academia, the diaspora and development sector, ITA’s CEO met Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal in June 2025 sharing a bold idea: to host a Learning Fiesta – Parhay Pakistan event at the High Commission’s iconic marquee in London. In mid-August 2025, the suggestion received a positive response to co-host the event on September 12. ITA-Pakistan and ITA-UK mobilised their networks to bring together 90 change-makers to mark 25 years of innovation, evidence-based inclusivity and educational development.
The event marked ITA’s 94th Learning Festival since 2011 and the first beyond Pakistan’s borders held as an immersive experience to celebrate our unique bond with the government, diaspora, UK academia and international development allies. A distinguished line-up of speakers captured the essence of ITA’s mission: Charlotte Duncan, deputy head of girls’ education at FCDO, spoke on gender equality and evidence; Dr Caroline Harper CBE, CEO of Sightsavers, addressed education for all and the challenges of leaving no child behind; Professor Kamal Munir, senior pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Cambridge, emphasised the critical role of research in bridging inequalities. Deputy High Commissioner Haseeb bin Aziz acknowledged power of such collaborations and congratulated the ITA on its 25-year journey, applauding its role in building positive narratives and strengthening educational ties between the UK and Pakistan. Naila Mir, the ITA UK chair, and Baela Jamil, from the ITA-Pakistan, welcomed all with a powerful video of ITA’s work and impact across Pakistan and beyond.
A moving poetry rendition on migration and youth identity by Hussain Manawer, British-Pakistani poet and author, set the tone for a festival of ideas and innovations in action. Interactive sessions showcased storytelling, creative writing, play-based early learning, inclusive technologies, STEM, maker arts, climate education, gamified digital learning, and literacy and numeracy rooted in heritage and natural resources—including the innovative Leather for Kids initiative.
From the very beginning, the organisation has recognised the complex interplay of household, school and societal bottlenecks, while relying on the power of alliances and partnerships—within Pakistan and beyond its borders.
Participating entities included the ITA, REAL Centre, Room to Read, Sightsavers, Brainspark Games, Cities for Children, Maker {Futures} (Sheffield University), Oxford Policy Management, OPERA, ScienceFuse, Agimono, Sanjan Nagar School Alumni, P3Connect, and the Learning Generation Initiative.
A rising star of the day was young Hassan, a 10-year-old homeschooler and ITA’s UK mascot. He eagerly tried every learning solution from ‘reza’ ceramic coloured geometric puzzles from the ancient town of Nasarpur, Sindh, and digital AI climate games to science experiments and financial literacy tools. At the end of the day, wide-eyed and inspired, he asked, “When will this be held for children in the UK?” The answer: very soon in at least 2 UK cities in 2026 in collaboration with partners across Pakistan and UK.
A deeply moving and redeeming moment was the launch of the Dr Arif Naveed Education Prize by Professor Kamal Munir. Dr Arif Naveed, an exceptional scholar from Muzaffargarh, passed away in 2024 at just 42. His pioneering work on structural inequality in education was honoured in the presence of his wife, Sana Gul, and their infant daughter, Alaynah.
This tribute set the stage for a series of spotlight talks by eminent scholars and partners: Professor Pauline Rose OBE (University of Cambridge), Dr Monazza Aslam (Oxford Policy Management), Amy Bellinger (Learning Generation Initiative), Reedah El Saie (Brainspark), Dr Alison Buckler (Maker Futures), Dr Esha Khan (NHS/ Sanjan Nagar Alumni), Madeeha Ansari (Cities for Children), Lalah Rukh Shams (Science Fuse), and Mariam Musa, a storyteller, among others. Each speaker/ participant brought forward powerful insights on bridging learning divides and re-imagining education for equity. Kazim Saeed, the ITA-Pakistan chairperson, shared a message of gratitude to all for supporting Parhay Pakistan.
In a generous gesture, ITA’s adviser, artist Fauzia Minallah, donated a painting to be auctioned in support of ITA’s cross-border work. The festival was hosted by Rastee Chaudhry, an ITA alumna, joined by Saba Saeed, both representing a generation of young leaders enabled and nurtured at the ITA.
The magical highlight was the live illustration of Parhay Pakistan by Dr Julia Hayes, supported by the REAL Centre, University of Cambridge. Her work captured the festival’s vibrancy, creating an unforgettable visual memory of ITA’s commitment to social justice, central to its milestone celebration.
On September 22, the ITA and UCL’s Institute of Education co-hosted the UK launch of Shout it Loud, NO! This is a powerfully authored and illustrated book by Afreen Rubbani, a special educational needs (SEN) expert, children’s author and illustrator, addressing child protection and safeguarding. Its Urdu version, Zor Se Kehna, Nahi! has already been approved by Pakistan’s National Curriculum Council and National Commission on the Rights of the Child and widely used in schools and emergency settings. The book launch sparked new networks for child rights advocacy multiplying ITA’s impact in the UK.
These valuable books on child protection are available in the UK and Pakistan in English and Urdu.
ITA’s 25-year journey has been one of resilience, alliances and imagination. From a single school in Lahore to a regional and global footprint; from emergencies to foundational learning and learning festivals; from policy to poetry. The mission remains clear: to ensure that every child learns, thrives and dreams without boundaries.
Baela Jamil, the ITA CEO, can be reached at Baela.jamilitacec.org
Maham Anees is the ITA communication manager, can be reached at maham.aneesitacec.org