Islamabad Achieves Zero Out-of-School Children Campaign Targets

APP

Islamabad: The Pakistan Institute of Education, in collaboration with JICA and the Ministry of Education and Professional Training, launched a report on its “Zero Out-of-School Children (ZOOSC)” campaign in Islamabad, successfully achieving its targets. Over 70,941 children have been enrolled in schools in Islamabad under this initiative, effectively eliminating the number of out-of-school children in the capital.

Federal Secretary for Education, Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, graced the report launching ceremony as the chief guest. Also present were Dr Muhammad Shahid Sarwar, Director General of the Pakistan Institute of Education, Dr Nasir Mehmood, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, representatives from JICA, and other NGOs.

Secretary Chaudhry highlighted the documented successes of the campaign, emphasizing their value as a guide for future provincial endeavors. He commended the rapid efforts of field workers from partner organizations collaborating with the Ministry of Education.

Acknowledging the initial challenges faced, particularly in achieving educational parity, Chaudhry underscored the crucial role of field teams in expediting progress. He noted the involvement of various stakeholders and the difficulties inherent in achieving such exemplary results.
Chaudhry revealed that 49 percent of the children brought back to school were girls, mentioning the establishment of two transgender schools and efforts to support children with dreams, even those engaged in manual labor.
He announced the commencement of an 18-month professional development program involving NCHD and others, emphasizing the collective nature of the journey embarked upon.
Highlighting the ambitious target set by Secretary Chaudhry to bring 50,000 children to schools within two months, Dr Shahid Sarwar credited collaborative efforts for surpassing expectations, with 70,000 children reintegrated into the educational system.
He outlined the campaign’s phases, including data-driven identification, community engagement, and enrollment facilitation, stressing the use of various strategies for success.
Dr Sarwar mentioned the preparation of a comprehensive research report, detailing the campaign’s progress, and its potential for replication nationwide.
The success of the ZOOSC campaign signifies a significant step towards enhancing education in Pakistan, offering hope for substantial reductions in the number of out-of-school children nationwide.