MoFE&PT sets 3-month target to enroll 25,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad plans new community Schools
The Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training has set a target to enroll 25,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad within the next three months under a 3-year rolling plan to enroll all out-of-school children. To facilitate this initiative, the government also plans to establish new community schools near specific locations (hotspots) where there is a large number of out-of-school children. Federal Secretary for Education and Professional Training, Nadeem Mahboob, while speaking at the launch of this comprehensive enrollment drive, said that this initiative is in continuation of the “No Child Left Behind” campaign recently announced by Federal Minister for Education, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Field teams of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) and National Education Foundation (NEF) have been mobilized across the federal capital. The Federal Secretary explained that both formal and non-formal education departments are implementing a ‘carpet coverage plan’ at the union council level. Under this strategy, teams are conducting door-to-door surveys to identify out-of-school children and ensure their immediate enrollment. To strengthen this campaign, the Ministry has introduced several collaborative initiatives. University students have been recruited as volunteers to help identify and enroll children in their communities. International NGOs and local civil society organizations are collaborating with the Ministry to maximize grassroots outreach. New community schools will be established to provide learning opportunities close to students’ homes and meet their specific educational needs. Federal Secretary Education Nadeem Mehboob stressed that progress would be reviewed on a weekly basis to ensure strict adherence to the stipulated time frame and effective implementation. He reiterated the government’s commitment that no child would be deprived of their right to education, and said that the enrollment of 25,000 children in three months was a clear testament to this commitment.