PESHAWAR: Despite the constitutional mandate for free education for children aged 5-16 years in Pakistan since 2010, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) continues to grapple with the issue of out-of-school children (OSC), as revealed in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) 2021 Report.
According to the report, the number of OSC children in KP has surged to approximately 4.7 million, with alarming figures indicating that about 2.9 million girls and one million children in merged tribal districts are still out of school. Poverty and socio-economic disparities remain significant barriers to access education, with 74.4 percent of girls and 38.5 percent of boys affected.
Various districts in KP, including Palas Kolai, Upper Kohistan, Torghar, Shangla, Lakki Marwat, Tank, and Batagram, report high percentages of OSC, reflecting the widespread nature of the issue. Additionally, merged tribal districts, formerly part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), also exhibit high rates of OSC, with percentages ranging from 47 to 66 percent across different regions.
Criticism has been directed towards the provincial government, with opposition parties highlighting the failure to fulfill promises of universal education and address the dual education system. Concerns over inadequate infrastructure, teacher absenteeism, and lack of facilities further compound the challenge of increasing enrollment rates.
Legal experts emphasize the constitutional obligation to provide free and compulsory education up to the metric level, stressing the need for full implementation of relevant legislation. However, the Free Compulsory Primary and Secondary Education Act, 2017, has not been effectively enforced, leaving many economically disadvantaged students at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints.
Individual stories, such as that of Mustafa Khan, underscore the personal struggles faced by OSC, highlighting the desire for education amidst economic hardships. Initiatives such as scholarships for poor students and the opening of alternate learning pathways centers are proposed as solutions to combat illiteracy and increase enrollment.
The KP government has launched enrollment drives and allocated funds for various educational projects, including stipends, school infrastructure development, and teacher recruitment. Measures to regulate mobile phone usage in schools aim to minimize distractions and prioritize academic activities.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist in achieving universal education in KP, necessitating a multi-faceted approach that addresses socio-economic disparities, enhances infrastructure, and promotes innovative educational strategies to ensure access to quality education for all children in the province.
