MARDAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s school enrollment campaign is expected to surpass previous records, with the provincial government aiming to enroll millions of out-of-school children by September, according to Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education Khalid Khan.
Speaking at an Open Public Forum (Khuli Kachehri) in Mardan, Khalid Khan said the ongoing enrollment drive has already recorded significant progress, with more than 600,000 children enrolled in government schools, exceeding the number registered during the same period last year.
Enrollment drive expected to accelerate
Khalid Khan said enrollment activities typically slow during the summer season but gather pace after schools reopen following summer vacations.
He expressed confidence that the campaign would gain further momentum in September and exceed the enrollment targets set by the provincial government.
Rejecting criticism of the initiative, the secretary described negative claims about the campaign as unfounded and inconsistent with the actual progress achieved so far.
Government prioritizes school facilities
The public forum was attended by the Director Education, District Education Officers, Education Department officials, teachers, and local residents, who raised concerns and suggestions regarding the education sector.
Responding to participants, Khalid Khan said the government has released more than Rs7 billion for the provision of furniture in government schools.
He added that billions of rupees have also been allocated through Parent-Teacher Council (PTC) funds, enabling schools to address essential infrastructure and educational needs at the local level.
Teachers’ regularization and new classrooms
The secretary said the issue of regularizing teachers recruited in 2022 is expected to be resolved soon, noting that the relevant summary has already been submitted to the provincial cabinet for approval.
He also announced that the government has allocated billions of rupees for the construction of new classrooms to reduce overcrowding in public schools as student enrollment continues to increase.
Semester-wise textbook distribution planned
Khalid Khan said the Education Department is introducing a semester-wise textbook distribution system to address recurring shortages and ensure that students receive books on time.
He added that the new mechanism is intended to provide a long-term solution to textbook supply issues across the province.
Student camping programme expanded
The secretary also announced plans to expand student camping programmes as part of efforts to promote holistic education.
The provincial government has set a target of providing camping opportunities to 100,000 students next year, allowing participants to benefit from extracurricular, leadership, and character-building activities alongside classroom learning.
Concluding the event, Khalid Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving educational facilities, expanding access to education, and ensuring quality learning opportunities for every child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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