Approval for ‘Education for All’ Campaign in Merged Districts
PESHAWAR: KP Government Greenlights ‘Ilm Tolo Da Para’ Literacy Campaign
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration has endorsed ‘Ilm Tolo Da Para’ (education for all), a joint initiative by the Pakistan Army and the provincial education department, aimed at boosting literacy rates in the merged districts. The decision came during a meeting of the provincial task force on merged districts chaired by caretaker Chief Minister Justice Retired Syed Arshad Hussain Shah.
The campaign’s focus spans increasing literacy rates in KP, especially in the newly merged areas. It plans to introduce formal education in seminaries with collaboration from religious scholars, public representatives, civil society, and other stakeholders. Initially launching in merged districts, the program will later extend to settled districts with lower literacy rates.
The statement highlighted targeting children aged 5 to 16 for enrollment, upgrading public sector schools based on requirements, and repatriating teachers from merged districts posted elsewhere.
Actions include investigating missing facilities in schools, holding accountable contractors failing to deliver on PC-1 mentioned facilities, and forming a committee to align academic curriculum with market needs.
The meeting revealed that approximately 10 million children, including 74% of girls, were out of school in merged districts. The focus will be on ensuring teaching staff availability and rectifying missing facilities in government schools to enroll these children.
The surplus schools will be transformed into technical and vocational centers while identifying ghost schools and teachers. The statement also highlighted plans for special incentives for both teachers and students.
The chief minister hailed the campaign as a significant step toward improving literacy, especially in merged districts, praising the role of the Pak Army in its development.
Key attendees at the meeting included Ministers Dr Qasim Jan, Dr Aamir Abdullah, Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt-Gen Hassan Azhar Hayat, along other civil and military officials.