KARACHI:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s public school enrolment campaign has fallen well short of its target, with official figures showing that only 38% of the planned admissions were achieved. The numbers point to a larger problem: enrolment drives cannot compensate for weak implementation.
As a teacher in the public education system, I observed that many government schools began the academic session late, while textbooks for newly promoted classes arrived weeks behind schedule— or not at all. Under such circumstances, persuading parents to enrol their children becomes far more difficult than launching publicity campaigns. The subsequent summer camp initiative appeared to shift attention toward boosting enrolment as much as addressing learning loss. Yet meaningful enrolment cannot be sustained through temporary programmes alone. Parents are more likely to choose schools that open on time, provide textbooks promptly and offer a stable learning environment.
The contrast with private schools is telling. Starting their academic year earlier, many exceeded their enrolment targets without extraordinary campaigns. Improving enrolment requires more than slogans or short-term initiatives. It demands timely academic calendars, efficient textbook distribution and confidence that public schools are ready to teach from the first day of the session.
Manzar Hassan
Peshawar
