Only one-third of poor girls in schools, reveals report

Attendance rates of children from poor household is far lower to achieve millennium development goals, especially for females as only one third of poor girls are in schools.

Attendance is higher and the gender gap is smaller in urban areas as compare to rural ones, however, Punjab province showed relatively good result than in Balochistan and Sindh.

‘Situation Analysis of Children and Women in Pakistan’ released by Planning Commission of Pakistan in collaboration with United Nations Children Fund, revealed that three major challenges are contributing to gender inequality which were categorized as equity, access and quality.

It further stated that the number of female teachers in primary schools is quite low and there is a drop in numbers with increase in age and experience.

It added that the devastating floods also lowered Pakistan’s position in Human Development Index, adding that in post-floods situation, displaced children who had never been to school have turned up.

In Balochistan eight districts have been affected by floods, including Jafarabad, Sibi, Kohlu, Jhal, Magsi, Barkhan, Loralai, Kech and Naseerabad however Jafarabad has the greater number of schools both for girls and boys damaged.

Other districts seemed to have fewer damaged schools but the situation of affected areas is as critical as compare to other districts.

So far, data collection could reveal the damage to schools, enrolment rates and availability of teachers and other facilities.

After scrutiny and complication of data the initial report of eight flood affected districts shows 1,278 schools (899 boys and 379 girls) partially/completely damaged.

In FATA about six percent (i.e., 64 out of 992) schools and other educational facilities were reportedly damaged. Of these 29 were completely damaged and 35 were partially damaged, which included 10 completely and five partially damaged girls’ schools.

As many as 900 girls schools were affected during last few years due to militancy and denied educational access to 1,20,000 girls students in FATA and Khaber Pakhtunkwa, the analysis reported.

Posted in: Islamabad