The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to launch a province-wide campaign to enrol out-of-school children. The initiative aims to improve access to education and ensure that every child gets a chance to study.
Officials said the campaign in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will involve multiple departments. These include education, health, and social welfare. Each department will play a role in planning and implementation. The goal is to support families and remove barriers to school enrolment.
The plan has been developed under the provincial Good Governance Roadmap. A high-level meeting was held at the Chief Secretary’s Office to review progress. The meeting was jointly chaired by Provincial Minister for Education Arshad Ayub Khan and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah. Senior officials from key departments also attended, along with representatives from UNICEF.
During the meeting, participants received a detailed briefing on a new survey system. This system will collect accurate data on out-of-school children across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The survey will reach down to the village council level. It will identify children aged five to sixteen who are not attending school.
Officials also shared plans to assess future education needs. Children under five will be included in early assessments. This step will help authorities prepare for future enrolment and school capacity.
Data collection will not be limited to government schools. Information will also be gathered from private and federal institutions. Religious seminaries, non-formal education centres, and special education programmes will be included as well. This approach aims to create a complete picture of the education landscape.
According to the 2023 census, around 4.9 million children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are currently out of school. However, officials believe the new survey will provide more accurate data. This will help in better planning and decision-making.
In other news read more about: Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Warns of Protests Over Wheat Losses and Demands Reform
The government expects that improved data will lead to stronger policies. It will also help in better budgeting and resource allocation. Authorities say the campaign is a major step toward increasing school enrolment and improving education outcomes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
