March 10, 2016, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the staus of female education focusing on lack of girls’ schools in most parts of KP and FATA, available facilities in the government schools for girls, family support for girls education and awareness in the society regarding female education. In addition, the program discussed the need of teachers’ capacity building about advance ways of teaching, government planning for FATA internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) education, and the role of civil society in provision of education to girls in the region. The improvement in enrollment in the current government was also highlighted in the program.
The program, under the theme of “JwandeyJazbey” (alive spirits), was aired on last Wednesday. Ms. Gul Raaj Atique Khan, Sub District Education officer, Peshawar was the guest on the show and Ms. Shazia Sharif, Education Officer, Khyber Agency, FATA, took part via telephone.
.
The report accentuated the ground realities in Khyber Agency about female education, schools infrastructure and the increase in their enrollment after IDPs return to Khyber Agency. Ms. Shazia Gul, said, “After the IDPs’ return, the enrollment ratio has increased and it is a positive sign. Approximately 13000 girls are enrolled currently. Unfortunately, most of the girls are unable to qualify age eligibility criteria regarding their education. This was mainly because of the displacement that has been affecting them in many ways for the last eight years”.Ms. Sakina Bibi, a local school teacher, said, “In current situation security and transportation problems are alarming in the region”. She further said, as the region has just gotten rid of the militancy. The schools infrastructure is badly affected and there is an urgent need for renovation and rehabilitation. Ms. Naima Haseen, a student, said, “It has been noticed that the people of FATA are more aware of the importance of education especially for their girls after the era of displacement from their region. I hope it will change our lives.”
Four callers participated in the program. They urged government to concentrate on the improvement of the status of education.
A caller on the show, Mr. Abdul Qadir Marwat, said, “Education is the basic responsibility that the government needs to provide to the public. Therefore, the government should take serious actions to improve the status of education in Pakistan.” Mr. Nasir Khan, another caller on the show, said, “According to article 25-A, the government is bound to provide free education to public. This is not practically implemented in Pakistan. Still, there are a lot of areas that the government needs to concentrate on to improve the status of education.”Another caller, Mr. Waqas Khan, said, “FATA has been facing serious issues with the education sector. During the era of displacement, most of the students were out of schools, due to which they have lost several years of educational period.”
Ms. Gul Raaj Atique Khan, Sub District Education officer, Peshawar.
“The KP government is very serious about education. In the year 2015, we have an increase of enrollment in the district Peshawar. I hope that we continue to strive for the cause of the increase in enrollment.”
Ms. Shazia Sharif, Education officer, Khyber Agency, FATA.
“The students of most of the areas of FATA have lost almost eight years because of the displacement. A majority of them were not able to continue their education. Right now, after displacement, we are facing this as a major problem. We are also in the process of the renovating damaged schools. However, we are optimistic and soon we will overcome these issues.”