ISLAMABAD: Turning the capital into a ‘zero’ out-of-school children (OOSC) city by June 30 seems to be a tough task as the number of such children was much higher than the estimated figure of 57,000.
Earlier, the education ministry, based on various surveys and reports, had set the target of bringing 57,000 OOSC in schools by June 30. However, sources said that during a recent field survey, ministry officials came to know that the actual figure could be over 80,000 in Islamabad.
Whereas, there is need to make the project sustainable as in previous attempts by successive governments, these children in most cases in Islamabad, later on, left the school, because of various factors mainly socio-economic issues as many out-of-school children being sole earners run their families.
In almost all major markets of Islamabad, children can be seen washing cars to financially support their families. Whereas, besides other works, children can also be seen picking garbage, at workshops, doing labour and vendor work in fruit and vegetable markets.
Official says education ministry trying to enroll children by June 30
Similarly, in many houses of Islamabad, young girls are hired as maids. However, when contacted, Education Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry said that the progress of the education ministry and its attached departments regarding out-of-school children was very good as in the ongoing campaign so far, over 30,000 out-of-school children have been brought to schools.
“We are very optimistic about achieving the target of bringing targeted 57,000 out-of-school children in schools by the end of this month. We are on the right track in this regard,” he said.
To a query, he said that based on data from various reports mainly Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the ministry had identified 57,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad, however, he said: “Yes, during fresh field survey, we came to know that the actual figure can be more than 80,000.”
“On the directions of Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, we have been taking every possible step to make Islamabad a zero out-of-school children city. The minister is heading the ongoing campaign and gets a daily update,” he added.
The secretary said the ministry had already completed the entire data of 57,000 out-of-school children, which was available on the dashboard of the ministry.
“We have complete data and on a daily basis, we are monitoring the progress of all attached departments regarding out-of-school children,” he said.
“From flexible school timings to financial assistance, we have a complete package,” he said, adding that those out-of-school children, who are sole earners of their families could be given some incentive.
Mr Chaudhry said in the budget for the financial year 2023-24, funding for a special project for out-of-school children has been secured through the efforts of the education minister.
“We have a project worth Rs200 million for out-of-school children and for fiscal year 2023-24, the federal government has earmarked Rs150 million for this project,” he said and added that all out efforts are being made to bring all out-of-school children in schools in Islamabad.
“We will achieve this target,” he said. It is relevant to note here Pakistan has world largest number of 23 million out-of-school children.
