The secret to progress of a nation lies in education. There is no better way to develop and prosper than to invest in human capital development through education. Waseela-e-Taleem (WeT) initiative of BISP complements Sustainable Development Goals by educating the vulnerable and marginalized segment of society. This was stated by President of Pakistan Mr. Mamnoon Hussain at a symposium organized by Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on International Day for Poverty Eradication to commemorate achievements of Waseela-e-Taleem (WeT).
The symposium was attended by Minister of State for Education and Professional Trainings Mr Baligh-ur-Rehman, provincial education ministers and representatives of DFID, World Bank, BISP officials and beneficiaries.
The President commended Chairperson BISP and her team for their invaluable contribution towards the education of the poorest of the poor. The President also urged the provincial governments to extend all possible support to BISP WeT initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon stated that 12 million children are out of school in Pakistan and WeT has played its part by enrolling 1.3 million children in schools. Chairperson BISP highlighted that through WeT, children from the age of 5 to 12 years receive Rs. 750 per quarter per child for primary education with the condition of 70% attendance compliance and Rs 2.14 billion have been disbursed for this purpose so far.
Chairperson BISP offered the platform of 50,000 BISP Beneficiary Committees (BBCs) to provinces for awareness and social mobilization campaigns and emphasized on strengthening the federal-provincial coordination for consolidation and expansion of WeT.
Sharing his views on WeT, Minister of State for Education and Professional Trainings Mr Baligh-ur-Rehman stated that during the last Inter-provincial Education Ministers Conference, all the provincial ministers appreciated WeT initiative of BISP and recommended up scaling the initiative beyond 32 districts.
Education Minister AJ&K Iftikhar Ali Gillani highlighted that enrollment of 34,185 children in AJ&K under WeT initiative would play a major role in enhancing the literacy rate of AJ&K.
Education Minister Balochistan Abdul Rahim Ziaratwaal appreciated WeT initiative and appealed to include all districts of Balochistan in the initiative.
Education Minister Gilgit Baltistan Muhammad Ibrahim stated that WeT has been pivotal in enhancing the enrollment of girls in primary schools.
Education Minister KPK Atif Khan said that education is key to progress and emphasized on provision of quality education, capacity building of teachers through trainings and infrastructure development of schools.
Country Representative World Bank Mr Anthony Cholst commended WeT as an excellent initiative to support provincial governments for targeting out of school children. DFID representative Ms Judith Herbertson highlighted the role of BISP in the improved consumption level, increased enrollment, better heath and enhanced nutrition.
In the end, the President distributed appreciation certificates among beneficiary children enrolled in schools under WeT. He encouraged them to continue with their education so that they can play an effective role for the betterment of their families and the country.
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