PESHAWAR: Over the past two decades, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has witnessed a decline in education standards, attributed to political instability, economic challenges, and ineffective governance.
The result has been a significant increase in the dropout rate among students, exacerbating the already high levels of illiteracy in the region. With over 4.7 million children out of school in KP, the new government faces the daunting task of addressing this educational crisis.
The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) 2021 survey revealed alarming statistics, indicating that millions of children, particularly girls and those from merged tribal districts, are deprived of access to quality education. This situation not only perpetuates poverty and unemployment but also threatens democratic and economic progress in the region.
Various districts in KP, including Palas Kolai, Upper Kohistan, Torghar, and Lakki Marwat, report alarmingly high percentages of out-of-school children, highlighting the failure of past governments to implement effective education policies. Moreover, the merged tribal areas, such as North Waziristan and Bajaur, face similar challenges, further underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
Individual stories, like that of Kamal Khan from Pabbi tehsil, illustrate the harsh realities faced by many families in KP. Economic hardships force children to abandon education and seek employment at a young age, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
To address these challenges, the KP Education Department has outlined comprehensive strategies, including the establishment of new schools, alternate learning pathways (ALP), and the implementation of Early Child Education (ECE) policies. Additionally, initiatives such as teacher training programs, literacy centers, and scholarship disbursements aim to improve educational access and quality.
Efforts to modernize education infrastructure, such as transitioning schools to solar energy and investing in digital skills training, demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development. Furthermore, plans to provide free textbooks and explore digital learning platforms signify a step towards inclusive and accessible education for all.
Despite these efforts, the road ahead remains challenging. The government must prioritize education reform, allocate sufficient resources, and ensure effective implementation to overcome the entrenched barriers to education in KP.
