The Provincial Education department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has decided to launch afternoon classes for those who live far from educational institutes and are unable to attend classes for this particular reason.
The main purpose of launching this new program known as “Sustainable Transition and Retention in Delivering Education (STRIDE)” is to facilitate the students who are unable to attend school only because they live too far.
The government figured that there has been enough increase in the number of students enrolled in schools, even after providing them free books, uniforms and stipend, which clearly indicates that the distance is a major issue.
According to the officials, parents are reluctant to send their children to schools because of inconveniences, poverty, lack of transport facilities and social and cultural concerns.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department (K-P ESED) and Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS) have joined hands to promote the objective of STRIDE. Girls living over two kilometers away will be provided with proper pick and drop facility whereas boys will be provided with bicycles.
In the districts of Swabi and Kohat, students will be able to enroll themselves in special afternoon classes in 30 primary and middle schools.
Since the launch of these afternoon classes, around 1000 students, including 400 girls have been enrolled and around 103 teachers, including 43 female teachers, have been appointed. The government has announced to pay Rs. 13,000 to the head teacher, taking care of these extra session as well as Rs. 12,000 to all other teachers on monthly basis.
K-P ESED Media Advisor Najiullah Khattak said that the main objective of STRIDE is to facilitate the children who are unable to acquire education due to financial, social or cultural problems as well as to enhance transport facilities for those who are unable travel long distances.
