BISP is an equalizer for all the provinces and regions of the country. The remote and deprived areas are on our priority list as we matter them the most. Besides financial assistance, BISP aims to uplift these areas by investing in the education of children through Waseela-e-Taleem- a long term graduation strategy for the poorest of the poor. This was stated by the Minister of State and Chairperson BISP, MNA Marvi Memon during her visit to Waseela-e-Taleem Primary Schools and BISP Beneficiary Committees (BBCs) in Awaran.
The purpose of the visit was to spot check the condition of children of BISP beneficiaries enrolled under Waseela-e-Taleem, attendance students, obtain the first hand knowledge of the problems faced by children, teachers and BISP staff and also to gauge the level of cooperation provided by provincial and district education departments. BISP has signed MoUs with provincial governments for cooperation in the enrollment of children in schools and their attendance compliance.
Under Waseela-e-Taleem, a Conditional Cash Transfer program, BISP gives Rs. 750 per quarter per child to beneficiary families besides quarterly stipend of Rs. 4834 for sending their 5 to 12 year old children to primary schools with the condition of 70% compulsory attendance compliance. In 32 districts across the country, BISP has enrolled 1.3 million children in schools and aims to enroll 2 million children by December 2017.
In Balochistan, 27,940 children are enrolled under Waseela-e-Taleem in 6 districts of Awaran, Gwadar, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Musakhel and Naushki. In Awaran, 2,099 children are enrolled in primary schools. Total number of BBCs in Balochistan districts is 1,648.
BBC is a committee comprised of 25-30 woman beneficiaries who elect their leader. The committee holds meetings twice a month to discuss the issues of education of children and other problems of social, financial and political nature. These committees are a source of women empowerment and mobilization, vital for the success of Waseela-e-Taleem. Chairperson BISP also interacted with the women of BBCs and listened to their suggestions and feedback.
On the occasion, Chairperson BISP stated that Waseela-e-Taleem initiative has a positive and significant impact on primary school enrollment. As per third impact evaluation report by Oxford Policy Management (OPM), School attendance deprivation on MPI indicator has reduced from 56% in 2013 to 49% in 2016 due to BISP. Enrollment of children in schools between ages of 5-12 has increased by 10% points which is higher than the international average.
The Minister also informed that BISP has developed a hi-tech application for continuous monitoring of attendance compliance of children enrolled in primary schools. The app is supplemented with GPS that will update the attendance status online making the attendance compliance easy and transparent for BISP.
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