Non Formal Education

Caritas Initiative for Education Promotion (CIEP)

Pakistan has the world’s second-highest number of dropout children where an estimated 22.8 million (44% of population) between age 5 to 16 years old children are not attending school. Non-formal education is used interchangeably as community education, adult education, lifelong education and second-chance education, ranging from home-based learning to government schemes and community initiatives.

Caritas Pakistan has initiated education project to dignify the lives of disadvantaged children through increasing the access of basic education in year 2019. After the disruption of Corona virus across the country in year 2020, the education program started again in 2022. The purpose of the project is to provide an opportunity to the school dropouts especially girls (domestic workers or bonded laborers at brick kilns) to start their education again and to become a responsible citizen.

The non-formal education program is being implemented in the targeted areas of five Catholic diocesan units of Lahore, Quetta, Faisalabad, Hyderabad and Karachi. Throughout the year from January to December 2022, the support of the respective parishes and other stakeholders were involved to attain better results and implementation of the project. Caritas Pakistan implemented this project in close coordination with Church/Parish priests and they allotted local community and room for schools. Center management teams (CMT’s) formed to build a coordination bridge between Caritas and community. Caritas Community Schools (CCS) was inaugurated in each Diocesan unit with students of age 4-16 years were enrolled in the schools and each school/Center has 25-30 students (60% female and 40% male).

The marginalized communities were happy that their children were able to get education and dropouts have a chance to start their study again. The parents appreciated the step taken by Caritas Pakistan for their children because there was no facility of basic education even government schools were not present in their localities.

Goal:

To increase access of disadvantages children to basic education throughout Pakistan.

Objectives:

Administration and Management 15 CCS (Caritas Community Schools) in 08 districts of Pakistan
To enroll new admissions and mainstreaming in formal education schools in 08 Districts
To introduce Activity Base Learning (ABL) and Joyful learning techniques among students and teachers
Capacity Building opportunities for teachers, students and youth

Major Achievements:

14 centers established and working in 08 selected districts of Pakistan
326 children enrolled and studying in the centers and will be provided with educational related necessities including books, notebooks, stationary and uniform.
14 Center Management Teams were formed and functioning
Trained members of Center Management Teams are facilitating project activities.
21 children in 04 districts enrolled in formal education schools
International Days celebrations with students and parents are motivated and mobilized for children in schools through selected schools with IEC Material
Teachers capacitated to teach dropouts in joyful learning methods following activity based learning.
Teachers and CMTs would be arranging festivals celebrations with students and parents.
One Children festival was organized by Lahore Dioceses.
One youth camp was organized at Multan.
Taleemi Bethak meetings were organized.
Youth and Climate Change Seminar were held at National Secretariat.
Extra co-curriculum activities would be arranged by the teachers as a part of curriculum designing as for the physical and mental health of the students.
Teachers would plan and arrange the exposure visits with the help of DPO, CMT and for students as to broaden up their minds to grow in life.
CMT, DPOs and teachers would be mobilizing to spread awareness on education to enroll the maximum number of dropouts especially girls.
Teachers Trainings organized to equip teachers and project staff for better implementation of project
Establishment of 80 TLCs during emergencies. Converting existing and new establish TLCs

Conclusion:

This project is brining change in many lives and in communities as well. Schools are still absent in many remote areas. We are using our limited resources to give a new hope to these communities, creating the concept of sharing and caring among them. There is a lot we can do in three hours of school time. A little attention can change a child’s life. They must know about good and bad touch as working children were abused both physically and psychologically at their work places. Female teachers and DPOs from Diocesan units attended sessions on preparing examination papers for students and inclusive approach in teaching, center management strategy, child protection policies, safety measures etc.

Temporary Learning Centers (TLC’s):

Pakistan has faced devastating floods in year 2022, which disturbed all sectors including education. Schools for more than 2 million children in Pakistan remain inaccessible due to destructive floods. Caritas Pakistan under Flood Response project-LWA has established Caritas Education Learning Centers (CELC).

The following are guidelines for establishment of CELC in affected areas: