Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched a new effort to identify children who remain outside the education system.
The provincial government will conduct a door-to-door survey of out-of-school children across the province. The initiative aims to bring more children back into classrooms.
The plan was finalised after a memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Four Departments Join Education Survey
Four provincial departments will work together under the initiative. These include the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, Local Government Department, Health Department and Social Welfare Department.
Officials will conduct a comprehensive survey across KP. The exercise will identify the number and locations of children who are currently not attending school.
The government will also establish a new “One Map” system for the initiative. The system will help organise information gathered through the province-wide survey.
KP Plans Immediate Enrolment of 60% of Children
According to the briefing, the 2023 census recorded around 4.9 million children aged between five and 16 in KP.
However, the education department estimates that around 2.6 million children in this age group are out of school.
The government aims to enrol 60% of out-of-school children during the first phase. Officials will also collect data on children up to five years old.
This additional data will help the government plan future education facilities and resources. It will also provide a broader picture of the province’s upcoming schooling needs.
Government Plans Multiple Education Options
The province plans to use several education models to accommodate children identified through the survey.
These options include government schools, double shifts and community schools. Digital platforms and partnerships with private institutions will also support the initiative.
Poverty remains another barrier the government plans to address. Children who leave school because of financial difficulties will receive support.
The assistance will include scholarships, Zakat and other forms of social support. However, scholarship payments will depend on students maintaining at least 75% attendance.
Vocational Training Planned for Teenagers
The initiative will also focus on teenagers who may need practical skills alongside education.
Teenagers between 14 and 16 years old will receive vocational training under the United Nations programme “Generation Unlimited”.
The programme will provide another pathway for young people within this age group. It will also complement the province’s wider effort to bring children into education.
Committees to Monitor Survey Progress
Provincial and district-level steering committees will oversee the project. These committees will monitor implementation and progress across different areas.
An independent body will also verify five percent of the surveyed data. This step aims to improve transparency and ensure greater accuracy in the collected information.
The survey will therefore provide the government with data on children who remain outside classrooms. Meanwhile, the enrolment plan combines education access with financial assistance and vocational training.
Through the initiative, KP aims to identify out-of-school children and create different pathways for their return to learning.
