1 week Ago By Farwa Naqvi
ISLAMABAD - The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR), led by Convenor Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, hosted a consultative session to address the urgent issue of Out-of-School Children (OOSC) in Punjab. The session aimed to understand the underlying causes of the OOSC problem in the province and develop strategies tailored to Punjab’s unique challenges.
Dr. Khan welcomed participants, including Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Syed Ali Qasim Gillani, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms.
Asia Naz Tanoli, and Ms. Sarah Ahmed, Convenor of the Provincial Caucus for Child Rights in Punjab. Also present were officials from the Education Department of Multan, civil society representatives, and National Assembly Secretariat officers.
Dr. Khan emphasized tackling OOSC root causes like financial barriers, child labor, migration, and societal norms that hinder girls’ education. MNA Syed Ali Qasim Gillani highlighted successful initiatives in Multan and urged their replication in districts with high OOSC rates, suggesting measures like counseling for parents, better school infrastructure, IT labs, and alumni programs.
Commissioner reviews Vaisakhi festival preparations MNA Ms. Asia Naz Tanoli called for setting a minimum education standard for all teachers, conducting public awareness campaigns, and reintroducing adult education programs like Taleem-e-Baligha. Dr.
Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro stressed the need for personal safety programs for children and emphasized collaborative efforts to reduce exploitation and promote vocational training. Ms. Sarah Ahmed briefed attendees on Punjab’s ongoing campaigns in partnership with UNICEF and the Child Protection Bureau, focused on child welfare and vocational training for girls.
She emphasized empowering girls to both learn and earn. The session also featured a presentation from the Multan Education Department, showcasing district-wise data on OOSC and ongoing government initiatives. MNAs proposed several measures, including strengthening public-private partnerships, improving school facilities, and implementing the law for free, compulsory education.
Every child deserves safety, education: CPWB chairperson Tags: pccr hosts provincial.
