K-P declares emergency over education crisis

Districts with 50% or more out-of-school children to face urgent govt intervention

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to declare an education emergency in districts where the rate of out-of-school children is 50 percent or higher.

The decision was made during a meeting of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department on Monday, chaired by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

The meeting included a detailed discussion on improving the quality of education in government schools, with a particular focus on addressing the issue of out-of-school children.

It was agreed that an education emergency will be declared in districts where the out-of-school children rate meets or exceeds 50 percent. The meeting also gave in-principle approval to the proposed actions under the education emergency plan.

Comprehensive and multi-faceted measures will be taken to increase student enrollment in schools. In this regard, schemes will be included in the upcoming budget to support various activities.

The CM directed the preparation of a comprehensive action plan, taking into account the specific conditions of each district, to ensure effective implementation of the education emergency plan.

He further instructed that different models and options should be explored to ensure the provision of educational facilities in the affected areas.

Gandapur noted that the issue of out-of-school children is a national issue that demands immediate attention. While the current provincial government has made good progress in increasing school enrollment, there is a need for even more effective efforts.

He expressed concern that in some districts the out-of-school children rate remains alarming, and that the declaration of an education emergency is a necessary step to reduce this number and improve enrollment.

The chief minister directed authorities to make next year's enrollment campaign more effective and result-oriented, with special attention to the education of girls, terming their absence from school a matter of grave concern.

The K-P CM highlighted that students are still sitting on the floor to receive education in some schools, which is unacceptable, and the province can no longer afford such conditions.

He said it is the mission of his government that no child in any public school should be forced to sit on the floor. Likewise, he stressed the need to ensure that all government schools are equipped with proper washrooms and clean drinking water facilities.

Gandapur reiterated that education is the top priority of his government, adding more resources will be allocated for this sector in the new budget.

The CM directed that facts-based data must be made available to ensure effective and prudent use of these resources, and that all activities should be driven by accurate statistics.