A delegation of the Rise and Shine Girls Education Network, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, met provincial parliamentarians to discuss measures for advancing female education in the province. Led by ninth-grade student Maham Nafees, the delegation urged lawmakers to raise the issue in the provincial assembly to improve female literacy and expand educational opportunities for girls across the province.
Student-led delegation highlights key challenges
The meeting, facilitated by Qamar Naseem, Education Champion of the Malala Fund and Programme Manager at Blue Veins, brought together students and lawmakers. Parliamentarians in attendance included MPAs Aiman Jalil, Shazia Tehmas, Farzana Shireen, Mehr Sultana, and Shahida Waheed Khan Hoti, as well as Abdul Jalil Jan, Information Secretary of JUI-F Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Maham Nafees stated that a large number of children in the province are out of school, including around 2.9 million girls. She added that, according to available data, approximately 52% of girls aged between five and 16 remain out of school, missing opportunities for education.
Rising transportation costs force girls out of school
Maham explained that the sharp increase in petroleum prices has significantly raised transportation costs, forcing many parents to withdraw their children, particularly girls, from schools. She noted that transportation charges have increased from around Rs1,000 to Rs4,000–5,000 per month, placing an unbearable burden on low-income families. She informed parliamentarians that in 10 districts of KP, the provincial government has already announced free transportation facilities for girl students and urged that this initiative be expanded across the province.
Poor sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools
Fatima Ayaz, an eighth-grade student at a government middle school in Peshawar, highlighted challenges due to inadequate hygiene and sanitation facilities. She said most girls avoid drinking water at school due to concerns over its poor quality and hygiene. Many washroom taps remain dry or non-functional, creating serious difficulties for students and negatively affecting their health, comfort, and learning environment.
Another student raised concerns about the non-provision of free textbooks in schools, despite government announcements.
Call for STEM education and budget prioritization
The delegation urged parliamentarians to prioritize STEM education in the province, stressing its importance in today’s era of technology, innovation, and digital transformation. They said equipping students, particularly girls, with STEM skills is essential for improving educational opportunities, enhancing employability, and enabling them to compete in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Qamar Naseem highlighted the role of parliamentarians in ensuring proper utilization of schemes and funds for education, with special focus on girls, in the annual budget. He noted that while girl schools in around 13 districts are receiving hygiene-related facilities from the World Bank, the government has yet to expand this initiative to other districts using its own resources.
Parliamentarians pledge support, declare education year
Speaking to the girl students, parliamentarians said that a resolution has already been submitted in the provincial assembly declaring the upcoming fiscal year 2026–27 as the “Year for Revival of Girls’ Education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” They thanked students for sharing their viewpoint and assured them of full support in addressing issues in the education sector, improving school facilities, and bringing out-of-school children back into formal learning institutions.
