Non-Formal Basic
Education
Pakistan's education indicators
(enrollment rates and literacy rates) rank among the
lowest in South Asia. Eight million children between the
ages of 5-9 have never attended school. Nearly 45% of
the children who enroll in primary school drop out
before completing first grade (National Education Policy
1998 - 2010, p.27).
Many
factors lead to low enrollment and retention rates of
students. These factors include poor quality of
teaching, high teacher absenteeism, low remuneration for
teachers, and long distances to schools. Based
upon interviews with parents, community members, and
other stakeholders, the Task Force believes that with
effective school management and improved teacher
motivation, the quality of teaching would improve, and a
greater number of parents would be motivated to send
their children to school.
For
Pakistan to meet its education targets, the formal
primary education system must undergo long-term reforms
to reduce dropout rates and increase access and quality
of education. However, a short-term solution is also
needed to ensure educational opportunities for children
who have either dropped out or never joined the formal
education system. To this end, the National Commission
on Human Development will establish a network of
community based non-formal schools. These non-formal
schools will be function as a support system addressing
the immediate needs of the education sector while the
Ministry of Education builds its own capacity to cover
all of Pakistan. Children who graduate from the
NFBE program can either join formal schools or
vocational training programs.
The
Commission will implement its Non-Formal Basic Education
(NFBE) program through selected NGOs. The Human
Development incubators in each district will fund,
support and build capacities of NGOs delivering
non-formal education. Incubators will provide shared
services such as school budgeting, account management,
and teacher training. The NFBE program will help
the Government of Pakistan achieve its primary education
goals.
Adult Literacy and Sustainable Livelihood Program
Illiteracy limits
economic, social and political opportunities for many
Pakistanis. Furthermore, illiteracy specifically
contributes to the marginalization of members of
society, such as rural women. Female literacy
rates are currently at par with male literacy rates in
the early eighties. As this gender gap
perpetuates, women continue to be left behind.
The Task
Force on Human Development recognizes the immediate need
to educate the 15-34 year old adult illiterates of the
country. To address the needs of this population
segment, the Task Force has proposed The Adult Literacy
and Sustainable Livelihood Program. The successor
organization to the Task Force, the National Commission
on Human Development, will implement an integrated
education program that will combine adult literacy and
sustainable livelihood.
