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Major Educational initiatives in Pakistan
1. Definition of Literacy in Pakistan:
While Pakistan aims at achieving the EFA goals within the context of the Dakar
Framework, the reference-definition of literacy is the one as adopted in the 1998 national
census. According to this definition, a person of 10 plus age is literate if he/she can read
a newspaper and write a simple letter, in any language.However, deliberations different
forums on literacy, in the recent past, have also identified the numeracy skills, along with
life-skills, as an essential component of literacy. Obviously, the formal adoption of some
new definition of literacy is a time-taking process. Now, when Pakistan is striving and
looking ahead in this direction, the emerging definition of literacy will have to be kept in
View, while planning for and implementing new interventions for achieving the EFA
goals about literacy by the year 2015.
2. National and Provincial Scenario
2.1. Geographical Location:
Pakistan is an Islamic Republic with an area of 796096 square kilometers. It came into
Existence on August 14, 1947 as an ideological state after the partition of united India
into two independent states: Pakistan and India. The population of Pakistan in mid 2007
was been estimated at 159.10 million. It is one of the most populous countries in South
Asia. Located along the Arabian Sea, it is surrounded by Afghanistan to the west and
northwest, Iran to the southwest, India to the east, and China to the northeast.
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2.2. Administrative Set-up:
Pakistan is a federation consisting of four provinces, NWFP (North West Frontier
Province), Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The tribal belt adjoining NWFP is managed by
the Federal Government and is named FATA i.e., Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The FANA (Federally Administered Northern Areas) and Azad Kashmir have their own
respective political and administrative machineries. Some of their sectors/subjects are
being taken care of by the Federal Government under special administrative
arrangements made by the Federal Government. Provinces of Pakistan are further divided
into districts under the recently devolved system of the local government. Prior to that,
there were divisions in National Institute of Population Studies, Islamabad, 2007 between
the provinces and the districts.
2.3. Economic Condition:
As per the Economic Survey 2006-07, Pakistans economy continues to gain traction as it
experience the longest spell of its strongest growth in years. Economic growth accelerates
to 7.0 percent in 2006-07 at the back of robust growth in agriculture, manufacturing and
services. Pakistans growth performance over the last five years has been striking.
Economic growth has been notably stable and resilient. With economic growth at 7.0
percent in 2006-07, Pakistans real GDP has grown at anaverage rate of 7.0 percent per
annum during the last five year. Both political stability and consistent economic policy
have made Pakistan one of the fastest growing economies in the region along with China,
India, and Vietnam2.
Amidst a number of problems, as put forth by the PRSP3, Pakistan faces the formidable
challenge of tackling the issue of economic development and poverty reduction. Rapid
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population growth rate of Pakistan not only dilutes the results of development efforts but
also creates unsustainable level of demand on already scarce resources to cater for the
needs of its population.
2.4. Population Dynamics:
According to the Economic Survey, 2006-0, the population of Pakistan has been
estimated to be 159.1 million. With its population of 32.5 million at the time of
independence in1947, it has witnessed an increase at an average rate of 2.6 percent per
annum. In Pakistan, the Population Census data depicts two phases of demographic
transition. During the first phase when fertility rates were higher, the share of young age
(0-14) population continued to rise thereby creating bulge in young age population while
the share of prime age (15-59) continued to decline until 1981. From 1981 onwards,
Pakistan appears to have entered the second phase of demographic transition as it has
witnessed a secular decline in fertility rate from 6.0 to 3.8 resulting in the rise of the
working age population and consequent decline in the share of dependent population.
The Economic Survey, 2006-07 further states that as a result of decline in mortality, the
crude death rate (CDR) of Pakistan is estimated at 7.1 (per thousand) in 2005-06. Decline
in mortality rate is due to the elimination of epidemic diseases and improvement in
medical services. It is, however, distressing to note that despite a considerable decline in
the totalmortality in Pakistan, infant mortality has still remained high at 70 per thousand
live births in 2005-06.
Sizeable annual addition of approximately three million to the population of Pakistan not
only dilutes the results of economic development but also creates unsustainable level of
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demand on already scarce resources to cater for the needs of population. This also
imposes restraints on efforts for improving the living conditions of people. In the past,
high population growth has significantly pushed the population below poverty line. If the
current trend persists, Pakistan's population will reach 181.2 million by the year 2015 and
217 million by the year 2020. Based on the present growth patterns and trends, the
economy would not be able to sustain the growing pressure of population. Thus, the
resultant deterioration in the quality of life will foil the government's recent efforts for
social uplift.
2.5. Analysis of anticipated population trends: 2007-2015
A cursory look at the data given in the table below reveals that within the age-bracket of
0-14 years, Pakistan is expected to have an overall trend of decrease in population during
the period 2007-15. This trend is due to the concerted efforts made by the population
education programmes of the Population Welfare Division and othenational/international
agencies operating in Pakistan.
During this period, the maximum increase is likely to occur in the age bracket of 25-44
years at the rate of about 34.3 per cent resulting in an absolute increase of 14.59 million.
In overall terms, the provinces are likely to have an additional population of 22.1 millions
in 2015 as compared to 2007 as a result of increase in population at the cumulative rate of
13.9 per cent.
3. Primary Education and Literacy
3.1. Constitutional provisions for education:
All the constitutions promulgated in Pakistan recognized education as one of the basic
rights of the citizens. Article 37 (b) of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973) makes it
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obligatory for the state to eliminate illiteracy and provide free and compulsory education
up to secondary level within the minimum possible period. In line with the above-said
constitutional provision, several enactments have been made to provide legal coverage to
literacy efforts in the country. They include the following:
The West Pakistan Ordinance No. XXIX of 1962 The Literacy (Amendment) Act, 1986 The Punjab Compulsory Primary Education Act, 1994 The NWFP Compulsory Primary Education Act, 1996
The Sindh Compulsory Primary Education Ordinance, 2001
The ICT Compulsory Primary Education Ordinance, 2002Balochistan is the only province that has not framed any law on education. However,
even though the other provinces which have promulgated the above-mentioned Literacy
and/or Primary Education Acts/Ordinances, the executing agencies have yet to implement
them in letter and spirit. Therefore, the provincial governments cannot take any legal
action for not Age Groups abiding by the law. Hence, there is a dire need to mobilize the
relevant executing agencies to implement the laws for promoting the cause of literacy.
3.2. Primary education scenario:
Enrolment at primary level is very closely related with the literacy rate in a country.
According to the Economic Survey (2006-07), most of the indicators pertaining to
education such as gross and net enrollment at primary level and literacy rate have
improved significantly over the last 5 years (2001-2006). It further states that at national
level, the GER for the primary school (age 5-9 years) is 87 per cent in PSLM 2005-06, an
increase of 15 percentage points from PIHS (2001-02). A substantial increase in female
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gross enrolment rate (61% to 80%) is one of the main reasons for the rise in GER.
Substantial increase in GER was recorded for all the four provinces with the maximum
increase being recorded in Punjab and then Sindh. Similarly, GER at the middle school
level age (13-14 years) has increased from 41 per cent in 2001-02 to 49 per cent in 2005-
06, with the highest GER being recorded in NWFP (38% to 52%). The Net Enrolment
Rate (NER) for the primary schools was 42 per cent in 2001-02 which has increased
significantly to 52 per cent in 2005-06. In overall terms, both the sexes have recorded a
10 percentage point increase in 2005-06 as compared to 2001-02. Punjab (57%) has been
ranked on the top followed by Sindh, NWFP, and then Balochistan. In case of NER, at
the middle school level, the increase has not been so overwhelming- a 2 percentage point
increase over the last five years. This small increase shows that although, the society is
keen to send their 5-9 years old children to school, the trend reverses when the children
reach the age bracket of 10-12 years. After it, they might enter the work force informally
to augment their household earnings and thus education does not remain a priority for
them or their parents.
3.3. Literacy scenario:
Nobody can deny the impact of enrolment rates at primary level on the rate of literacy.
This impact is quite visible in terms of literacy in Pakistan as measured under the PIHS
and PSLM surveys keeping in view the definition of literacy as adopted in the national
census held in the year 1998.
4. Organizational Set-up: Literacy
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4.1. National level:
At the federal level, the earliest infrastructure came in the form of the LAMEC (Literacy
& Mass Education Commission) in the year 1981. It was later renamed NETCOM
(National Education & Training Commission) and then PMLC (Prime Ministers Literacy
Commission). It was then changed into PLC (Pakistan Literacy Commission), and then
PMLC (Prime Ministers Literacy Commission) which was further renamed as Projects
Wing. It is headed by a Joint Educational Advisor, assisted by two Deputy Educational
Advisors and four Assistant Educational Advisors. Its main function is to coordinate the
literacy and non-formal education related activities in the country. International donor
agencies like UNESCO, JICA sponsoring literacy and non-formal provide aid to Pakistan
through this Wing.
NCHD (National Commission for Human Development) has also been set up as an
autonomous body which is operating in all the four provinces and FATA, FANA and
AJ&K in the fields of UPE (Universal Primary Education), literacy and health. Further
detail about NCHD follows under the literacy-related programmes and projects.
4.2. Provincial/Regional level:
4.2.1. Punjab:
Since the devolution of power plan in 2001, Punjab is the only province which has made
a noticeable break-through in terms of setting up the Department of Literacy and Non-
formal Education as a separate administrative department at provincial level. However,
the appointment of literacy staff at the district level has been slow. According to the
devolution of power plan, the following staff should be appointed at district level:
Executive District Officer (Literacy),
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District Officer (Continuing Education) District Officer (Vocational Education) Deputy District Officer (Literacy Campaign) Deputy District Officer (Continuing Education) Deputy District Officer (Vocational Education)
Along with other supporting staff.
However, within the province of Punjab, there are several variations regarding the
appointment of required staff at district level. On average, a typical district in Punjab is
only equipped with the following:
EDO (Literacy) District Literacy Officer Literacy Mobilizer (1-2) Computer Operator (1-2)
Along with menial staff.
4.2.2. Sindh:
The entire programs and projects of EFA for the province of Sindh are planned and
implemented by the Directorate of Literacy and Non-formal Education. The Director is
assisted by an Additional Director, a Deputy Director (NFE), and a Deputy Director
(Literacy) in addition to other supporting staff. Out of a total of 9 sanctioned posts, seven
are lying vacant. At the district level, the EDO (Education) takes care of all types of
activities relating to education and literacy.
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4.2.3. KPK:
In KPK, there is no Literacy Director and the education programs are run by the School
and Literacy Department which is headed by a Secretary who is assisted by two
Directors, one for primary schools and the other for secondary schools. Under the
provincial set-up, there are 24 EDOs (Education) functioning in 24 districts of the
province. In each district an ADEO (literacy) is responsible for establishing and
monitoring of Adult Literacy Centers. However, literacy has been sidelined and the funds
are not properly utilized due to lack of proper planning.
4.2.4. Balochistan:
Working under the Social Welfare Department, the Literacy & Non-formal Education
Directorate is responsible for the literacy programmes in the province. It is headed by a
Director, two Programme Officers (one male and one female), Office Superintendent,
Stenographer and some menial staff. However, the posts of the Program Officers have
been lying vacant for some time. Hence, due to the shortage of staff members and lack of
planning, the Directorate has been unable to run its programs effectively.
4.2.5. AJK:
In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, there is no separate formal structure for literacy and non-
formal education. However, activities on literacy and non-formal education have been
operational since 1986. The Deputy Director of Schools (Elementary) has been given the
additional charge to look after the activities related to literacy and non-formal education
in the State but no other facility is made available to him to facilitate his task in literacy
related activities.
5. Major Initiatives:
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5.1. Background & Context:
The education condition in Pakistan is far from acceptable with deprivation being
experienced by large sub-groupsfrom children to adults. The existing education system
has failed to cater to the needs of the children. Resultantly, a large majority of children
stay out of school; another significant majority goes to school but do not find education
productive and therefore drop out. Those who continue school are not being equipped
well for life in the 21st century. Though policies to promote quality education have
been formulated and promulgated from time to time, successive failures of the promises
and the practice of missing the well marked goal posts have created a credibility gap.
To put all new initiatives and promises into perspective, such as the decentralization of
service delivery under the Devolution Plan (August 2001), Pakistans renewe
commitment to the Education for All under Dakar Framework of Action(April 2000),
Millennium Development Goals (September 2001), Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
(December 2003) and the Medium Term Development Framework (2005-10) and most
importantly a renewed commitment of the Government of Pakistan to ensure equitable
proliferation of quality education, Ministry of Education proposed to review the National
Education Policy (1998-2010). The Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference
endorsed the need for policy review in January 2005. A National Education Policy
Review Team was constituted in September 2005 with the mandate to review the existing
policy in close collaboration with the provinces and the districts.
Since policy review is an inclusive exercise and there is a need for a shared vision and
common direction for all the stakeholders, the National Education Policy Review Team
embarked on a comprehensive process of consultations and pursued a structured
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methodology which included various instruments of enquiry. A well-defined roadmap
with timelines was designed to identify stakeholders forming the public policy
community, their hierarchy and geographical spread, and functional ingredients of the
preparatory, diagnostic, prescriptive and policymaking stages of the policy process were
also laid down. Discussions were stimulated by producing a series of Green Papers, for
the first time in Pakistan. These consultations were supported by first-hand observations
during an extensive programme of visits to the provincial districts. This was followed by
a series of Focus Group Discussions with experts and provincial /area/national education
conferences process has been genuinely consultative and evolutionary. The process had
carefully avoided the common pitfall of convenience in policymaking by taking into
account diversity of views, needs and aspirations and by combining desirability and
achievability when defining the goals and objectives of the National Education Policy.
The process was initiated with sharing of the National Education Policy (1998-2010) with
eminent education experts, Vice Chancellors of renowned public and private sector
universities, inviting meaningful feedback on identification of gaps and deficiencies.
Intensive discussions were held on important educational issues with all Wings and
Curriculum Council of the Ministry of Education.
Here are some major initiatives taken in Pakistan education,
5.2. Public Sector Programs
5.2.1. National
5.2.1.1. NFBE Schools:
At the national level, the non-formal basic education schools form the biggest network
promoting primary education and resultantly literacy in the country. According to the
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Ministry of Education, a project titled Establishment of 82,000 Non-formal Basic
EducationCommunity Schools was launched in 1996-97 throughout the country. The
project is based on the idea of home schools to be run through Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs). These schools are based on multi-grade teaching with a single
teacher for classsI-V, for the age group 5-14 years. Non-formal Basic Education
Schools/Centers are established in those areas/villages or hamlets where
Government Primary Schools are non-existent Separate schools for girls are not available
Girls participation rate at primary level is low
Female illiteracy is pronounced Dropout rate is higher
By the year 2003-04, the number of NFBE schools functioning throughout the country
was 8,977 with an enrolment of 320,387 students. The project is being implemented in
collaboration with Provincial Project Coordination Offices through Provincial Education
Departments. Pass outs /graduates of NFBE schools may get admission in formal schools.
In view of acute shortage of formal middle schools, it has been proposed to open 4,000
non-formal middle schools by upgrading the existing non formal basic education schools
under the revised NFBE project. An educated person, preferably a trained PTC may be
contracted for the task against a fixed emolument of 1000/- rupees per month. In case
trained PTC teachers are not available at village level, simple Matriculates are
considered. Teaching aids like blackboards, charts, mats and the like are provided for the
students by the Government. Learning materials in the form of books, notebooks, pencils,
slates etc. are supplied to learners free of cost. Curriculum of formal primary school
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system is used for all fresh entering children of ages 5-9 years, whereas, a condensed
non-formal primary level basic education course has been developed for drop-outs and
out of school youth of age group 10-14 years and above.
5.2.1.2. NCHD:
The National Commission for Human Development is a national level organization in the
public sector. It launched a massive literacy initiative in August 2002 to support the
Ministry of Education. It is operating at the national level and the Literacy Program of
NCHD is operational in 117 districts of Pakistan. Its specific objective includes achieving
86 per cent literacy rate by 2015, by
Emphasizing female literacy between 11 and 45 years of age, Establishing literacy centers within a radius of 10-15 kilometers, Effective social mobilization for ensuring good teachers and learners.
The NCHD has established a 180-hour training program in the Adult Literacy Centers
which has enabled adult illiterates to read newspaper, write 7-10 sentences about their
immediate environment and manipulate three digits addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division sums.
5.2.1.3. ESR:
Adult literacy is one of the priority areas of the Education Sector Reforms (2001-06).
ESR envisaged opening 270,000 literacy centers in 5 years time to achieve the target of
60 per cent literacy rate by the year 2006. However, due to financial constraints, only 5
per cent of the targeted literacy centers could be opened. Most of these centers are for
females. Each center has completed 2 cycles of 6-month duration at the average intake of
20-25 learners per National Commission for Human Development.
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5.2.1.4. NRSP:
Most of the NRSP (National Rural Support Program) ventures focus on school
management and improvement through community participation. It builds the capacity of
School Councils in their school management skills and trains teachers. This helps in
increasing the literacy rate of school age children and in improving the quality of
education in primary schools. In its Adult Literacy Program, the NRSP identifies people
who are willing to attend classes in order to acquire functional literacy. Eligibility for
intending learners may be the young age of ten and there is no upper age limit. Learners
attend the two-hour session for three months after which they are able to read a
newspaper and write a letter. Learners are also able to understand and practice basic
mathematical functions.
NRSP under an agreement with the National Commission for Human Development
(NCHD) and Pakistan Education Research and Development (PERD) assists school drop
outs and people who have never attended school. NRSP carried out an Adult Literacy
Programme in Rahim Yar Khan in collaboration with NCHD and JDW Sugar Mills.
NRSP identified the adult learners and NCHD provided technical support and reading
materials. NRSP, NCHD and JDW Sugar Mills shared the cost of the program. NRSP
also had similar projects funded by ILO in Attock and Mardan. Adult Literacy Programs
in these districts have been completed. Currently, NRSP is managing Adult Literacy
Program with the help of PERD in the districts of Malakand, Swat, and Bahawalpur.
NRSP is financing this program. ItsAzan Literacy Movement in Rahim Yar Khan,
Mardan, Malakand, Swat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Bahawalpur, Turbat (Kech), and
Hyderabad districts have also been very successful. NRSP, along with other NGOs, has
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also responded to the earthquake disaster in the affected areas of AJK and NWFP by
helping people in their rehabilitation and making temporary arrangements for the
education of their children.
5.2.2. Provincial
5.2.2.1. Literate Punjab Program:
Under the Literate Punjab Program, the Punjab Literacy and Non-formal Education
Department initiated this program to achieve the target of 100% literacy in 5510 Union
Councils of 31 Districts of the province of Punjab. The program has been going on in full
swing and it is likely to impart literacy skills to about 1300,000 beneficiaries.
5.2.2.2. Elementary Education Foundation (EEF):
The EEF is an autonomous organization implementing the Literacy for All (LFA) Project
through Sector Directors and supporting staff. To manage the project a separate Project
Management Unit (PMU) has been created. The literacy program is being implemented
in all the 24 districts of NWFP, through a well established 15 sector offices headed by the
Sector Directors along with well trained staff of Social Organizers, Supervisors,
Community Social Motivators and teachers. The LFA has managed to establish 198
NFBE schools.
5.2.2.3. Sindh Education Foundation:
Sindh Education Foundation was established in the year 1992 as a semi-autonomous
organization to undertake educational initiatives in the disadvantaged areas of Sindh. Its
main focus is on empowering the disadvantaged communities towards social change by
creating and facilitating new approaches to learning and education. The SEFs initial
activities began with the provision of grants and loans to educational institutes and
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organizations. However, the SEF now provides communities with direct access to
educational facilities by opening schools/centers. The current projects not only provide
education, but also mobilize communities to meet their educational and developmental
needs. Furthermore the Foundation also undertakes research initiatives, both qualitative
and quantitative, to study the impact of its programs and identify improved systems for
community enhancement.
5.2.2.4. USAID/ESRA:
Between December 2002 and September 2007, the USAID/ESRA provided literacy skills
to over 100,000 out-of-school youth and adults while building the capacity of the NGO
sector and government to deliver high-quality literacy programs. USAID/ESRA is
helping to create and promote a shared vision of what schools should look like and how
they should function by educating parents, teachers, and members of school management
committees (SMCs). To date, the project has engaged and mobilized approximately 8,600
schools and communities, helping them develop school improvement plans, as well as
strengthening their SMCs and other structures necessary to drive long-term school
improvement. Of these, over 2,500 schools have been awarded grants to implement the
school improvement plans they developed.
5.3. Private Sector Programs
A brief account of activities of some of them is given below:
5.3.1. National Level
5.3.1.1. Pakistan Education Foundation:
Set up in the year 1986, the Pakistan Education Foundation (PEF), Islamabad is a
national level NGO. It has its advisory bodies throughout the country and the AJK. In the
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field of literacy, the PEF is running nearly 30 Kiran (Ray of Light) Centers which aim at
imparting basic education to out-of-school children. These centers are run by self-
motivated members of the PEF on voluntary basis. The estimated number of their
beneficiaries is nearly 2000. The Foundation also gives more than 300 scholarships and
distributes free textbooks among needy students. Network of the PEF operates throughout
the country and carries out this welfare program. The PEF assisted needy students by
providing them with uniforms, books and stationary in the earthquake affected areas of
AJK and NWFP. The PEF has also 57 organized ten different educational and scientific
exhibitions in different parts of the country and thus aroused interest in teaching
community, public at large and other stakeholders regarding technical and need-based
education.
5.3.2. Provincial
5.3.2. 1. Punjab
The Bunyad Foundation:
The Bunyad Foundationis one of the prominent NGOs in the private sector which has
completed a number of projects in literacy with the assistance of national and
international organizations operating in Pakistan. It has contributed to a number of
literacy-related projects focusing on women empowerment, eradication of child labour
and environmental protection. So far, it has prepared six training manuals, 50 learning
charts and set up 40 CLCs (Community Learning Centres), in addition to doing several
other things in this area. Some of the projects completed by it include the following:
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Non-Formal Primary Education Project in Hafizabad and Multan (in 84Centers in Hafizabad and 56 centers in Multan) with 4000 beneficiaries.
This project was supported by Pakistan Literacy Commission
Non-formal Basic Education for Rural Girls project completed underHafizabad Community Schools. Through 50 NFPE Centers, imparted
primary education to 1800 learners under sponsorship from Trust for
Voluntary Organizations
Literacy Project, Kot Momin, Sargodha was supported by NCHD with1500 beneficiaries
Adult Literacy Project, Hafizabad was supported by District Government,the number of its beneficiaries being 7000
Voicing of the PoorAdult Literacy Project Daska, Sialkot wassupported by Directorate General of Social Welfare Punjab and the
number of its beneficiaries was 15000
Adult Literacy Project, Wazirabad was supported by PLC with 400beneficiaries
Education for out of school Youth and Adolescents, Sialkot wassupported by UNICEF and the number of its beneficiaries was 10000
people.
In recognition of its services, the Bunyad Foundation has also been awarded the
Comenius Medal 1998, King Sjong Award and Izaz-e-Fazilat Award.
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PACADE:
PACADE (Pakistan Association for Continuing and Adult Education) has been
particularly keen working on advocacy of the cause of female literacy. Though it is also
running its literacy centres, but one of PACADEs13major objectives in running Adult
Female Literacy Centers has been to test appropriate methodologies and based on its ten
years experience it has developed a methodology. Most of the Female Literacy Centers
are based in villages near Lahore. It has made more than 5000 women literate. PACADE
have held a number of conferences, seminars and workshops for the promotion of adult
continuing education, functional literacy, community involvement, monitoring, and post-
literacy material. It has acted as a pressure group with the central and provincial
governments and NGOs for launching of National Adult Literacy programs and related
matters. It also has had a program for research on literacy and continuing education
including a journal on Continuing Education, a magazine of and for neo-literate women
and also a number of books. PACADE is currently developing a Literacy Resource
Centre. The main components of the Centre are Research, Training, Material
Development and Documentation.
ABES:
The Adult Basic Education Society, Gujranwala is one of the oldest NGOs operating in
the field to promote the cause of literacy. It is running several literacy centers and has
thus contributed a lot in this important area. It is the pioneer NGO in developing literacy
program launched through media. Its famous program Niya Din was telecast at the
national hook-up as back as in the 1970s. It has also done tremendous work in teacher
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training and multi-grade teaching to meet the shortage of trained teachers at primary
level.
5.3.2.2. Sindh
HANDS:
HANDS (Health and Nutrition Development Society) are a non-profitable registered
organization working since 1979 with a mission to improve primary and secondary health
facilities, quality of education and to alleviate poverty through capacity building.
HANDS is intervening in public and private sectors and is benefiting more than 2 million
population of 5000 villages in different districts including Hyderabad, Sanghar, Badin,
Thatta and Bin Qasim Town, Karachi. HANDS Education and Literacy Promotion
Program has been focusing on the improvement of the literacy status of poor,
marginalized children and adults through formal and non formal education both in private
and public sectors. Its beneficiaries, inter alia, included the adults of 15-35 year age
group, both male and female learners, 5-12 years girls of Government Primary Schools,
adolescents of class VIII of Government Secondary Schools (boys and girls) and 3-8 year
old boys and girls of Government Primary Schools in all targeted districts. The
programme overall benefited 49,655 people of the rural communities. HANDS also
developed curricula for Early Childhood Education classes, adolescents and adult
learners. Teachers guide Ustadan-Jo-Rehbar was developed for Adult Literacy
Program. Learning material for ECE classes such as Taleeme Basta, pocket dictionary,
stationeries, health message posters, growth cards were developed and provided to ECE
(Early Childhood Education) classes.
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Labour Education Foundation:
Labour Education Foundation (LEF), originally registered in1993 as Education
Foundation was renamed as LEF in 2004. It has been running 10 adult literacy centers
(1997-2000) for trade union members with financial help of Swedish Teachers Union,
Local Branch Gothenburg and the number of learners was 1,000. In extension of the
project, eight centers (2001-2004)were run in Lahore for 600 learners. Further expanding
the adult literacy program, 10 centers were set up in the Sindh province in 2002, and now
there are 16 centers operating in Sindh and Balochistan for over 400 learners.
5.3.2.3. KPK
Khwendo Kor (Sisters Home):
Khwendo Kor is a pushto word meaning Sister's Home. Established in the year 1993,
Khwendo Kor (KK) is a non-profit, non-government and non-partisan organization
striving for the development of women and children. KK started its work with one donor
and one village of district Peshawar; today it is working in 113 villages of NWFP
(Peshawar, Khyber Agency, Karak, Bannu, FR Bannu, Dir, Bajur, Manshera and
Battagram. Presently, it has five regional offices in Peshawar, Karak, Bannu, Dir and
Abbotabad with a programme coordinating unit at Peshawar.
Some of the major achievements of KK include the following:
Provision of quality education to 11652 girls and 1800 boys in 228Community Based Schools
Imparting literacy to 778 female from 41 adult literacy centers Developing MIS (Management Information System) on education and
health
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Training of 344 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Capacity building of 696 women in enterprise development, livestock
management and technical skill training
Establishing 67 home-based nurseries by females and males Setting up seven community based learning centers attended by 136
working girls and 68 working boys
Gender sensitization to 454 male and 102 female Imparting Legal Literacy to 33 males and 97 females
Sarhad Rural Support Program:
Sarhad Rural Support Program based in Peshawar is a non-profit, non-governmental
organization of NWFP, working in the field of education, health and rural development.
It was established in December 1989 on the lines of Agha Khan Rural Support Program.
The concept was to carry out rural development activities in the NWFP through
community participation by forming village organizations at the grass root level.
SRSP initiated its education programme in December 1995 by establishing adult literacy
centers on pilot basis in Charssada district. So far, the SRSP has established 111
community based schools in districts of Kohat, Mansehra, Chitral, Abbottabad, Peshawar
and Upper Dir with the assistance of UNICEF and Learning For Life(a UK based
Organization) benefiting 6647, where gender comparison stands at 70 per cent. SRSP has
developed a cadre of trained teachers; more than 400 teachers have been trained in
teaching methodologies and subject-specific training and about 127 teachers have been
recruited in community based schools of SRSP.
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5.3.2.4. Balochistan
Society for Community Support for Primary Education in Balochistan:
SCSPEB has to its credit a long list of program and projects, mainly focusing on
education in the far-fling areas of Balochistan. Its programs are wonderful examples of
Public-Private Partnerships where-under the Government of Balochistan has handed over
major components of education to the SCSPEB; the Society seeks funds from
Government and the donor agencies and carries out this very important task. The
Community Support Process is a means by which the Government and communities
assisted by NGO, develop a partnership (formal) through which girls' schools are
established and effectively operated in the rural and far flung areas of Balochistan. The
objective is to promote and sustain primary girlsschools through community
participation.
The USAID funded Releasing Confidence and Creativity (RCC):
Building Sound Foundations for Early Learning in Pakistan focused on supporting
practices and structures in communities, schools, NGOs, and the government that
effectively promote early childhood development. The main objective of the program was
to improve early learning and teaching in government schools in Balochistan and Sindh.
6. Future Programs:
6.1. National, provincial and district plans of action:
National, Provincial and District Plans of Action on Education for All (2001-15) have
been prepared and launched. Universalization of Primary Education both for male and
female and 86 per cent adult literacy rate by the year 2015 are the main targets of EFA
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plans. As per plan, we may achieve the target of gender equity and equality by 2015.
Some of the main programmes/inputs/strategies designed for the EFA Plan of Action
include:
New primary schools Masjad/maktab schools Introduction of double shift in existing schools Providing missing facilities to existing schools Focusing on school effectiveness and better quality of education
Adult literacy centers
Skill development centers6.2. Skill development program:
The need for up-gradation of technical and management skill at grassroots level can
hardly be over-emphasized. Improved skill enhances human productivity, promotes
utilization of local resources, reduces external dependence and builds self-confidence in
people. These factors contribute to poverty alleviation and improve the quality of life of
community. Training in income generating skills and function illiteracy can help to
alleviate poverty and make the literacy programs more meaningful and relevant. We need
to adopt an integrated approach in literacy by incorporating all the three main
components of literacy i.e.
Basic Literacy (Reading, writing and numeracy) Life skills and Functional Literacy (civic sense, health and cleanliness,
first aid and road safety etc.)
Income generating skills. (Pottery, Carpentry, Sewing etc.)
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A pilot program in skill development is already being carried out in the Islamabad Capital
Territory. Under this project it has been planned to impart training in skills such as
sewing, knitting, embroidery, crotch work, bag making and the like. Similarly, some
short term sandwich courses such as Tie and Dye, Block Printing, Fabric Printing, Gota
Work, Mukaish Work, Salma Sitara, Glass Printing, Makrama, Wall Hangings, Cooking
and Baking, Toffee Making, Squashes and jams, Pickles, Jelly and Marmalade, Ketchup
and Chatni, Soap and Surf, Candle Making etc. will be run under the said project. If
successful, the subject project will be replicated in the country.
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References:
http://www.pacadelrc.org/PresentProgrammes.htm http://www.nald.ca/province/que/litcent/litWD.htm http://www.pcp.org.pk/certified_NPO/BALOCHISTAN/SCSPEB.pdf http://www.pap.org./statistics/population.htm http://www.bunyad.org.pk/Past.htm http://www.pacade.org/index.htm http://www.nchd.org.pk/ws/pa_edu_al.htm http://www.unesco.org/uil/en/focus/litinforemp.htm http://www.google.com.pk/search?q=a+global+strategic+framework+through+wh
ich+national+governments+ERIC&btnG=Search&hl=en
http://www.southasianmedia.net/profile/pakistan/pakistan_humanresources.cfm http://www.pap.org.pk/statistics/population.htm http://www.pacadelrc.org/PresentProgrammes.htm http://www.srsp.org.pk/social-sector-main.html http://www.sef.org.pk/educatewebsite/introductionsef.asp http://www.khwendokor.org.pk/project.html http://www.hands.org.pk/index.htm http://www.lef.org.pk/profiles.html http://www.pacade.org/Activities.htm