PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched an ambitious initiative to promote girls’ education in the merged tribal districts to reduce dropout rates and boost education.
The “Girls Stipend Programme” aims to encourage girls to pursue education by providing a monthly stipend of Rs1,000 to eligible female students from sixth to twelfth grade.
This program is a collaborative effort between the provincial government and the World Food Programme, with a total funding of Rs1.14 billion.
The provincial government will cover 82% of the cost, while the World Food Programme will contribute the remaining 18%.
According to the Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education, Faisal Tarakai, approximately 30,000 girls from over 500 schools across eight districts will benefit from this initiative. To qualify, students must maintain a minimum attendance rate of 70%.
The primary objective of the Girls Stipend Programme is to increase girls’ enrollment in educational institutions and reduce dropout rates in merged districts.
Currently, girls account for 70% of out-of-school children in these areas, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces significant gender disparity in education. Cultural norms, economic issues, and limited access to education resources have contributed to this disparity.
Patriarchal norms pose a significant barrier, forcing girls to stay home while parents prioritize enrolling sons in schools. The Girls Stipend Programme seeks to challenge these norms and empower girls through education. By providing financial support, the program aims to incentivize girls to stay in school and pursue their educational goals.
The Girls Stipend Programme is a crucial step towards bridging the gender gap in education and promoting girls’ empowerment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its success will depend on effective implementation, community engagement, and sustained commitment to girls’ education.
