Female-special transport in capital on the cards
Female passengers wait to board the newly-launched Pink Bus Service in Hyderabad on Saturday. PHOTO: PPI
The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to repurpose buses as female-specific transport in Islamabad to tackle the increasing financial burden on rural girls and female teachers.
A comprehensive audit of the FDE wing conducted over the past three months revealed concerning findings regarding the status and functionality of over 385 buses serving schools in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Shockingly, 30% of both old and new buses were found parked due to several issues, including the lack of drivers, maintenance deficiencies, and inefficient resource utilisation.
Following detailed consultations with district administration, it became evident that rural girls and female teachers were experiencing extreme financial stress due to transportation costs exacerbated by inflation. Consequently, many girls were compelled to drop out of schools located in urban areas.
To address this critical issue and promote gender equality in education access, the FDE has devised a transformative plan to repurpose 20 buses, rebranding them as female-specific pink transport. These buses will operate between rural and urban Islamabad, providing free transportation services exclusively for public and private school girls and female teachers.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in the FDE's pro-female transport agenda and represents a strategic utilisation of existing resources to address pressing societal challenges. While the primary focus is on serving girls and female teachers, other females will also be permitted to use the service, subject to availability.
The repurposed buses are expected to be fully operational by mid-June, offering a lifeline to countless girls and female educators in their pursuit of education. This endeavour underscores the government's commitment to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the education sector, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2024.