Enrolment drive: Over 15,000 out-of-school children enrolled in capital in three days

CADD will try to reduce dropout ratio in second phase.

ISLAMABAD:

Over 15,000 children were admitted in schools in the Islamabad Capital Territory during a three-day campaign.

In connection with the International Literacy Day, a campaign was started on Monday to reach out to families and guardians of children aged five to nine. According to the Training Directorate of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) 4,600 children were given admission in the urban sector’s schools, according to which the parents’ response was overwhelming.

“It was encouraging when mechanic apprentices and rag pickers were enrolled. Their parents were equally enthusiastic about free-of-cost admission, books and other gifts,” said Urban Area Education Officer (AEO) Salma Hussain.

Enrolment teams and groups of college students headed by senior teachers visited markets and homes in the slums of the capital including Mera Badia, G-12, I-10 and G-7 sectors persuading parents and guardians to get their children enrolled.

Bhara Kahu AEO Bashir Arain was hopeful that the remaining children could also be sent to school if the government showed such interest in future as well.”Seeing labourers’ children getting enrolled were memorable moments,” he said.

The number of children enrolled in Sihala was 1,984 while 1,838 children in Tarnol and 2,553 were enrolled in  Nilour  during the three-day drive.

Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Joint Secretary, Rafique Tahir, told The Express Tribune that in the initial campaign the basic issue --- underprivileged children’s access to educational institutes--- had been addressed adding that in CADD’s meeting called on September 16 will address the second phase --- retaining enrolled children and reducing the dropout ratio.

“We are also looking to create an adopt-a-child policy for teachers who are able to afford it and willing to help students from poor families,” he said.

The capital’s primary completion or survival rate is the highest in the country, touching 91 per cent. For children aged five to nine, around 43,000 are yet to be registered but the figure rises to a staggering 0.13 million when the age bracket is expanded to include 16-year-olds, according to recently released data by the Ministry of Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2013.