Announcing the “Ilm Da Tolo Dapara” initiative

Peshawar:

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has taken a proactive stance towards improving literacy and has embarked on important initiatives to improve the educational situation in the newly merged tribal districts. The government announced an initiative titled 'Ilam Da Tolo Dapara', demonstrating its determination to tackle the long-standing problem of low literacy rates in these areas. This effort includes the revitalization of dysfunctional educational institutions as an important first step.

Dr. Amer Abdullah, Interim Minister of Administration, Industry, Commerce and Technical Education for the newly merged districts, outlined the ambitious plan and stressed the urgency of launching the 'Ilam da Toro Dapara' campaign on war footing. The main objective is to breathe new life into educational institutions that have been dormant for a long time due to various challenges.

This campaign recognizes the importance of inclusivity for overall social development and has a dual focus on promoting the education of both men and women in these districts. Dr. Abdullah emphasizes that strict oversight of the campaign is critical to ensure its effectiveness and successful implementation.

A district-level task force will be established to facilitate this initiative. This task force, made up of experts in the field of literacy, will play a vital role in overseeing and guiding the campaign. Careful selection of individuals with a deep understanding of the educational environment ensures that our efforts are tailored to each school district's unique needs.

One key strategy is to revitalize dysfunctional educational institutions by increasing student enrollment.

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Recognizing the multifaceted nature of educational development, the government entrusted the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) with the task of conducting a feasibility study. The study will identify suitable institutions for the introduction of technical education and skills training courses, increasing the scope of education provision in the region.

The Interim Minister underlined the government's holistic approach by emphasizing the integration of technical education and skills training into general education institutions. This synergistic approach aims to equip students with practical skills, increase their employability and contribute to the overall development of the region.

In parallel with these efforts, a state task force was established, headed by the state chief minister. This task force is tasked with facilitating the overall development process in the merged districts. At the recent conference, the agenda featured heavily on the government's efforts in the education sector, with a particular focus on decisions related to the “Ilam da Tolo Dapara” campaign.

The caretaker minister has assured that this campaign will be launched during the current academic session, demonstrating a sense of urgency in addressing the region's educational needs. What is important is the commitment to effectively utilize existing infrastructure and provide quality education without imposing additional financial burdens.

However, the challenges cannot be underestimated. A comprehensive investigation has been launched to identify ghost schools to address concerns of transparency and accountability.

Published in The Express Tribune on January 12th^th2024.