500k children to be enrolled in schools

Minister aims to minimise dropout rate after vacations

LAHORE:

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has reiterated the ministry's resolve to enrol 500,000 children in schools during a campaign.

The minister chaired a review meeting on the Back to School campaign, during which he was briefed on the objectives and related matters.

The education minister emphasised the need to execute the Back to School campaign with full vigour under the slogan 'Parho or Jagmgao'.

He set a target of bringing at least 500,000 children back to school and stressed that the dropout rate after the summer vacations should be minimised, ideally reduced to zero.

In this regard, the minister said the community should be engaged through school councils and an awareness campaign conducted aggressively by using all available communication channels.

He said the campaign should be made effective through systematic social communication and a weekly report on the campaign's progress be submitted.

Rana Sikandar added that this year, efforts should be doubled to ensure that twice as many children return to school compared to last year, and new enrolments should also be encouraged.