Reforms in AJK: Empowering citizens to monitor education

The project aims at strengthening the role of citizens to improve quality and accountability.

RAWALAKOT:

Residents of Rawalakot have pledged their support for initiatives in addressing the education issue in the region. They were speaking at a seminar on ‘Education Sector Reforms’ at Hill Top Hotel here on Tuesday.

Poonch Division Director Schools Abdur Rahman Sherazi and Chief Executive Officer READ Foundation Muhammad Fayyaz Khan were the guests of honour at the seminar. Rawalakot’s District Education Officer (DEO) (Male), Sardar Mumtaz Hussain, and DEO (Female) Naseem Hayat also attended the occasion. Government officials, district education managers, chairpersons of UC-level education councils, political affiliates, religious teachers, school teachers, students, civil society activists, journalists, and notables from the local community were also present at the event.

Under a contract with the USAID Citizens’ Voice Project, READ Foundation is implementing a 12-month program focusing on education sector reforms in Rawalakot, AJK. The project aims at initiating the process for education sector reforms and strengthening the role of citizens to improve quality and accountability.

Under this project, communities have been brought closer to the education department by forming ‘Education Councils’ at Union Council level and an Education Steering Committee at Tehsil level in Rawalakot.

Moreover, the project has conducted two surveys (Pre & Post-KAP) and over 110 meetings with all stakeholders in education sector to develop a public perception document for the government of AJK.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2013.