Pakistan (Commonwealth)_ISLAMABAD: Making the capital a ‘zero’ out-of-school children (OOSC) city by June 30 appears to be a difficult assignment, since the actual number of such youngsters was far higher than the predicted figure of 57,000. Previously, the education ministry established a target of 57,000 OOSC in schools by June 30 based on numerous polls and reports. According to sources, during a recent field survey, ministry officials discovered that the true amount in Islamabad could be over 80,000.
Whereas there is a need to make the project sustainable, as in previous attempts by successive governments, these children later left school in Islamabad due to a variety of factors, primarily socioeconomic issues, as many out-of-school children are sole earners who support their families. Children can be seen washing automobiles in practically all of Islamabad’s major markets to help support their families financially. In contrast, youngsters can be seen gathering garbage, working in workshops, doing labor, and vending at fruit and vegetable markets, among other things. According to an official, the education ministry is attempting to enroll youngsters by June 30.
Similarly, young females are engaged as maids in many Islamabad homes. When contacted, Education Secretary Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry stated that the development of the education ministry and its connected ministries regarding out-of-school children was very good, with over 30,000 out-of-school children being brought to schools in the ongoing campaign.
They are quite hopeful about bringing the targeted 57,000 out-of-school children back to school by the end of this month. According to the authorities, pupils are also on the correct track in this regard. In response to a question, the Education Secretary stated that the ministry had identified 57,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad based on data from various reports, primarily the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), but that a new field survey revealed that the actual figure could be more than 80,000. In addition, on the orders of Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, they have been taking every feasible effort to make Islamabad a city with no out-of-school children. The minister is in charge of the ongoing campaign and receives daily updates.
The ministry has already finished the entire data of 57,000 out-of-school children, which was available on the ministry’s dashboard, according to the secretary: “We have complete data, and on a daily basis, we are monitoring the progress of all attached departments regarding out-of-school children.”
“From flexible school schedules to financial assistance, we have a complete package,” he said, adding that out-of-school youngsters who are the sole breadwinners for their families may be given some incentive.
Mr Chaudhry stated that the education minister’s efforts resulted in money for a specific project for out-of-school children in the budget for fiscal year 2023-24. They have a project worth Rs200 million for out-of-school children, and the federal government has earmarked Rs150 million for this project for fiscal year 2023-24,” he said, adding that all efforts are being made to bring all out-of-school children into schools in Islamabad, and they will meet this target. It is worth noting that Pakistan has the world’s biggest number of out-of-school children, with 23 million.
