Strength in numbers: Governor announces three-day enrollment drive across FATA

Public and private sectors asked to encourage admissions.

PESHAWAR:

To mark International Literacy Day on September 8, Governor Shaukatullah Khan has directed authorities to initiate a campaign to increase enrollment in schools throughout the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The directives come in line with the initiative taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whereby the premier has asked the planning commission to undertake work on Vision 2025. The plan aims to enrol every child in school.

A meeting chaired by federal minister and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad on Monday finalised measures to launch a special three-day campaign which is to begin on September 9 and conclude on September 11.

According to the 2012-2013 Annual Statistical Report for FATA Secretariat’s education department, the overall literacy rate in the tribal belt is 24.05 %, with 36.66 % for males and 10.5 % for females.

The overall dropout ratio from nursery to grade five in government primary schools over a cycle of six years was 61%. Of this figure, 62% were boys and 58% were girls. Moreover, the dropout rate from grade six to grade 10 in public schools over a cycle of five years was 72%.

Principal secretary to K-P governor and Fata Education Secretary Muhammad Abid Majeed said announcements would be made in mosques so that the information regarding the campaign reaches everyone. He said activities would include public symbolism in the form of active participation by parliamentarians, notables, political parties, journalists and others. Majeed also said political agents and deputy commissioners for the frontier regions had been directed to frame campaign plans and share them with the governor’s secretariat.

“The activities will be given wide media coverage in print and on television. Short messages will be relayed through the media, especially on radio channels, as well as printed on banners and placed at strategic locations within the agency, including bus stops and public places,” said Majeed. “Toys and sweets will be given to children being enrolled to encourage them.”

Other departments, especially health and forests, will also be included in the drive, according to Majeed. The FATA Boys Scouts will be asked to take full part in the campaign, which will convene sports functions to encourage a mood of festivity during the three-day period.

Majeed said the governor had requested all donors and partners in advance to support the activities, while the Chamber of Commerce, businessmen and corporate sector would be approached to chip in for books, toys or help in kind.

“The governor has also directed requirements of Form-B and any other difficult formalities be relaxed for this period,” said Majeed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2013.