ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF BASIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY SCHOOLS (BECS) Brief History: NFBE programme initiated in 1995 by PMLC

C and its first project was Establishment of 10000 NFBE schools started in 1995. Project revised in 1998 and expanded as Establishment of 82000 BECS in the Country. PMLC dissolved and project run directly under MoE. Lack of timely funding short releases led to non-achievement of targets and repeated extensions, to achieve project objectives. Project including its schools and staff merged into current project in 2006-07 and renamed as Establishment and Operation of Basic Education Community Schools in the Country. In 2011 due to devolution process sponsoring Ministry transferred from Ministry of Education to Ministry of Professional & Technical Training. Necessity of the Project: Embarrassing literacy ratio at national level and poor progress in enhancing literacy. Pakistan is a signatory of EFA and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Establishment of formal primary schools is costly and time taking. Non Formal Basic Education (NFBE) is low cost and fast track to achieve EFA & MDGs. Implementation Strategies:

 In 1995 project was implemented through Provincial Project Coordinators appointed in consultation with Provincial Governments. Provincial project Coordinators operated through DOs Education or DOs literacy in districts. In 1998 role of NGOs was introduced and they were involved in selection of sites, selection of teachers, mobilization of communities, monitoring of school progress, supervision, delivery of teaching learning materials and even payment of salaries. ACHIEVEMENTS / PROGRESS OF BASIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROJECT Government of Pakistan is making every effort to achieve universal primary education as part of its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) It is estimated that there are about 20 million children between the ages 4-14 years and out of them 15 million are out of school. A huge gap exist between demand and supply for primary education. It is also very clearly mentioned in the recent report by Standing Committee for Education March 2011. In order to bridge the gap of out of school children it is imperative to give the deprived children 1st and 2nd chance of getting primary education, this is the area where Basic Education Community Schools Project is working under the umbrella of National Education Foundation with the funding of Ministry of Professional & Technical Training Islamabad. The project is today operating 13094 Basic Education Community Schools all over Pakistan. BECS Project works closely with stake holders at provincial and district level along with non-government organizations (NGOs) to attain the selected MDGs goals. The current programs not only provide education but also mobilize communities to meet their educational and development needs. This project is supportive to achieve Universalization of Basic Education, one of the common goals of Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Major achievements of Basic Education Community Schools Project can be summarized as follows: 4 Provincial offices, 2 Area offices in AJ&K Gilgit Baltistan and 65 District office have been established.

 13094 BEC Schools are functional all over country.

Provision of free text books to all students.

Provision of free Teaching Learning Material (TLM) and Center Kit to the BEC Schools.

Enrolment of 547744 (Existing learner ) out of schools children. (about 60% girls).

1,15000 primary graduates have been produced from 2008 2011.

13094 teachers have been trained. (Pre service training and Refresher courses)

More than 522 Supervisors (NGOs) trained.

Training of sufficient number of Master Trainers completed.

Training imparted to about 60 Managers.

Basic Education Community Schools Project has produced about one million literate. Its contribution to overall primary education is 1.5 % approximately

 Training workshops of Advocacy for Non Formal Education in four provinces and ICT.

Manual developed and published.

1. Non Formal Education Management Information System. 2. Management of Community Schools. 3. 4. 5. 6. Non Formal Basic Education

Teachers manual for Non Formal Basic Education . Teachers Guide Manual for Master Trainers Manual for Managers

I.

Establishment of Resource Center /Library.

II.

First National Non Formal Education Management Information System (NFEMIS) has been developed in collaboration with UNESCO and JICA . Poverty Alleviation and Women Empowerment by providing them jobs at their doorsteps.

III.

IV.

Reduced unemployment. (Employment individuals (80% are females).

of

about

16000

V.

Pilot Project of 10 Community Learning Centers has been successfully executed and it is likely to be completed y the end of June 2012. It focuses on female youth and adults for skill and

literacy. Extension this project was planned in nest phase to a larger number of communities.