Abbas Khan, Afghan Refugees Commissioner, has said that during the 5th decade of hosting Afghan refugee, the economic vulnerable group is facing issues regarding access to education. The schools in Afghan refugee villages were closed down, the drop-out rate has increased and there is a noticeable increase in child labour.
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He was addressing a session titled ‘Inclusive COVID-19 Recovery: Education for Vulnerable Groups’ jointly organized by SDPI-GIZ here on the occasion of 24th Sustainable Development Conference held under the auspices of Sustainable Development Policy Institute.
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Ms Beala Raza Jamil, CEO, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, highlighted the issues faced by the economic vulnerable groups living in slum areas, including the refugees faced the hardest blow during the pandemic regarding the education sector. The digital learning awareness, accessibility and application remained major challenges.
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Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha, Executive Director, Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education, highlighted the issues faced by girls of economic vulnerable groups. There were gender biases towards girls’ education during pandemic. Their limited or no access to phones, tablets or any other digital device which led to them their drop out from schools. Cultural barriers also amplified the challenges which led to increased child marriages and increase in domestic abuse.
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Special Secretary, Elementary & Secondary Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr Shahbaz Tahir Nadeem, highlighted the KP government’s key initiatives such as online schooling with the collaboration of Noon Academy
