MILLION KIDS TO SCHOOL MONTHLY BULLETIN

Have a peek into the nation's largest intervention for out-of-school childrenThe monthly bulletin provides updates and useful information on the Educate A Child (EAC) programme implemented by ALIGHT Pakistan in collaboration with Education Above All (EAA) Qatar and the Government of Pakistan. It includes updates on national seminars, enrolment campaigns, meetings, events, and new partnerships that occurred during December.

It is time to share the highlights of the ALIGHT-Educate A Child (EAC) programme in December 2019. As this was the last month of 2019, our focus was mainly on concluding activities and preparing for annual reporting. By the end of December, ALIGHT successfully completed 505 school improvement plans in 55 districts, where repair and maintenance work was carried out in collaboration with concerned school education departments. The team identified 1,097 deserving children and provided them with school uniforms, shoes and sweaters as education incentives.

ALIGHT completed the process of handing over school supplies to 279 NCHD feeder schools in the month. These supplies include black boards, plastic mats, water coolers, teacher chairs, and registers for teachers to record enrolments and withdrawals in their schools. A core activity was o u r m a tc h i n g g ra n t s t ra n sfe r towa rd s i m p rove m e n t o f s c h o o l infrastructure with the development and implementation of School Development Plans (SDP). In December alone, ALIGHT successfully implemented 155 SDPs in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a cumulative 505 schools benefitting through SDP implementation

ALIGHT's online teacher training program achieved another fantastic milestone too, with 42 teachers graduating from the program just this month. We have received 1,449 nominations for training in the program in total so far.

The Sindh team organized an advocacy seminar which explored 'Solutions and the Way Forward' on tackling the country's out-of-school children crisis in Karachi. Representatives from the local School Education Department, Reform Support Unit, and civil society organizations showed their support for the education campaign through their participation.

Happy reading!

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Message from the Deputy Chief of Party

Zabardast Khan BangashDeputy Chief of Party

In this Issue ICT News 2

Teacher Training 3

Local Community Engagement 3

Sindh Advocacy Seminar 4

Local Community Engagement 4

Increasing Access to Schools 5

Developing Attractive Learning Spaces 5

Education Incentives 5

Project Progress in Punjab 6

Education Incentives 6

Engaging Local Stakeholders 6

District Steering Committee Meetings 6

School Development Plans 7

Teacher Training 7

Local Community Engagement 8

Cricket Tournament 9

Celebrations 9

Teacher Training 9

Field Stories 9

Snapshot of Targets Achieved 10

Teacher Training Program by the Numbers 2019 11

Case Study 11

Educating One Million Out of School Children

, ,formerly American Refugee Committee

Volume I, Issue VII December 2020

Ÿ The local team conducted assessments of Package A students in 30 ALIGHT schools. We are proud to announce a 100% graduation rate. Classes begin on Jan 13, 2020.

Ÿ A meeting was held with JICA for planning and training of STAR school teachers on its Accelerated Learning Program curriculum, Packages B and C, and the exam cycle.

Ÿ A planning meeting was held with the Federal Directorate of Education. the team shared progress and discussed the way forward with respect to exams and graduations.

Ÿ 162 students for receiving education incentives. were identified These include 35 STAR school students and 127 students from formal Moawin Foundation schools.

Ÿ ALIGHT and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) signed a Letter of Intent on December 4 towards setting up two non-formal schools for juveniles and establishing a virtual teacher training academy (VTTA) inside the university's premises in ICT. Under the LOI, ALIGHT will establish primary, non-formal schools inside prisons in Abbottabad and Charsadda for juveniles between 6-16, as well as provide school supplies, learning material, and teachers' salaries to the schools inside the prisons. The letter of intent was inked by the University's Registrar Dr. Muhammad Zaigham Qadeer and ALIGHT's Country Representative, Dr. Tariq Habib Cheema, in presence of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum.

Ÿ Christmas celebrations in ALIGHT’s school in the G-7 Christian Colony as the team joined partner PAGE to welcome Senator Mohammad Ali Saif, Convener Senates Special Committee for National Cohesion, Senator Sitara Ayaz - Chair Senates Committee on Climate Change & Member Senates Special Committee on National Cohesion and Mohammed Amoon Pasha, from Hum Pakistan, to Christmas. Children performed a Christmas play, enjoyed Christmas cake and received Christmas presents from the guests.

Ÿ Children in Islamabad's H-13 school in the Afghan refugee colony were treated to an educational puppet show organised by International Catholic Migration Commission with participation from Pakistan National Council of Arts. The awareness activity talked to the children about health and hygiene and how education will build stable, happier futures.

Ÿ A heartwarming initiative by four students of Chinese origin at the International Islamic University has been providing support to a STAR school in the Afghan refugee settlement in the city since 2017. With donations from other students at the university, the group collects school supplies such as bags, stationery, and uniforms for the school. A wonderful example of a community coming together!

Ÿ As part of efforts to strengthen local education systems, ALIGHT, in collaboration with Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education - PAGE, conducted a teacher training in Islamabad Model School for Girls in Bhara Kahu, Islamabad on Dec 18. Training expert, Sahar Syed, delivered a session covering professional standards of learning to 10 teachers. The training explored learning resources, assessment of prior knowledge, lesson planning, and reading strategies.

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ICT NEWS

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Teachers provided with professional development and capacity building opportunities make better teachers. ALIGHT's teacher training program, offering both in-class and online trainings, equip teachers with learning opportunities to polish their skills and learn the latest best practices.

ALIGHT's Quetta team conducted a five-day training December 19 to December 23 for teachers of STAR schools. The master trainer, Mr. Muhammad Imran, from the Education Department Balochistan, explored non-formal basic education with the

teachers, including how to implement different methodologies with students. The training was evaluated with tests.

BALOCHISTAN NEWS

TEACHER TRAINING

LOCAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTWe value continuous dialogue with partners and stakeholders to reach our mutual goal of educating marginalised children. On December 12, the Balochistan team conducted a provincial steering committee meeting with stakeholders including Director NFE, Saharif Haider, Project Manager Nabeel Baloch, Project Manager MCI, Noor Ullah, Project Manager SEHER Behram Lehri, Field Officer BECS Sarfaraz, AD Ms Gull Nisa BECS, PM IRC Haroon Kasi, Director BEP Shabir Bareach, CEO PIDS, Babar Shah, Project Coordinator Ammar, SCSPEB, Jalal AD NFE, Project Coordinator, JICA, Asif Kasi.

District Steering Committee Meeting were conducted in Jaffarbad and Jhal Magsi on Dec 26 and 27, respectively. In Jaffarabad, all district stakeholders participated in the meeting. NCHD, SED, ESP (UNICEF) GEO, teachers, NFE. The meeting discussed the EAC project, necessity of teacher trainings, and support needed from partner organisations, government departments, and Directorate Literacy Department.

Sindh's District Steering Committees (DSC) were established in 11 targeted districts of Sindh, July through September 2019. In December, the team organized DSC meetings in Badin, Kamber, Larkana, Thatta, Karachi, and Tando Allah Yar to review and share project progress with participants. Regional/ district Officials of NCHD, BISP, Education Department, civil society organization participated in these meetings. The team also conducted a provincial steering committee meeting in Karachi which shared project progress and planning with partners and stakeholders.

LOCAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SINDH NEWS

The Sindh team conducted an Advocacy Seminar titled ‘OOSC challenges and way forward’ on December 12. The event highlighted Alight's commitment to achieving its target of enrolling one million OOSC and working closely with partners to improve the province's primary education literacy rate. The event was attended by key regional stakeholders including officials from the School Education Department, JICA, NCHD, BISP, civil society organizations (TNW, Taleem Foundation), Aga Khan University Institute of Educational Development, and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

SINDH ADVOCACY SEMINAR

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SINDH NEWS

Closing the year, the team established three non-formal schools, also known as ALIGHT STAR schools, in district Thatta. The schools cater to 90 children that were once out-of-school.

INCREASING ACCESS TO SCHOOLS

SINDH NEWS

Physical conditions of schools have positive and powerful impacts on student engagement, retention, and teacher motivation. We value the investment in educational quality that school infrastructure improvements bring. In December, the combination of funds from a local community and school management committee, and an ALIGHT matching grant in the Government Boys Primary School Darya Khan Jokhio in district Thatta led to the renovation of the school, with new doors, windows, and plaster work.

DEVELOPING ATTRACTIVE LEARNING SPACES

The provincial team distributed uniforms and shoes to 70 students under the student incentive program in districts of Sukkur, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Badin, Mirpurkhas, and Karachi.

EDUCATION INCENTIVES

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PUNJAB NEWS

PROJECT PROGRESS IN PUNJAB

The team is proud to share that 116 ALIGHT STAR schools are now fully functional in four districts of Punjab, in Lahore, Multan, Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalpur. These provide free-of-cost, quality, primary education to 4,240 students. Four newly established STAR schools were provided with learning material in December.

EDUCATION INCENTIVES

Through ALIGHT matching grants and funding by school management and village education committees, we provided 342 deserving students from ALIGHT and partner schools with uniforms and shoes in the presence of local stakeholders and District Education Authorities' officers. Incentives are given to very vulnerable students, such as orphans and children with disabilities. Five students of every formal school are typically selected for the incentive program.

DISTRICT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGSEight district steering committee meetings were conducted with partner departments and organizations to review our campaign's progress.

ENGAGING LOCAL STAKEHOLDERSPunjab Provincial Manager, Pervaiz Akhtar, held a meeting with Mr. Bashir Zahid Goraya, Additional Secretary Literacy & NFBE Department Punjab. The meeting explored the ALIGHT-EAC project objectives, targets, partnerships, and the status of BECS and its expected merger with Literacy & NFBE Department. ALIGHT offered support towards the merger of BECS' 3,102 schools which are to be taken over by the Literacy Department. The Secretary welcomed the support. Discussions are ongoing on the possibility of signing an MoU with NFBE.

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PUNJAB NEWS

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLANS

The team developed 159 new School Development Plans (SDPs) which will provide missing school facilities in targeted government schools. We successfully completed implementation of SDPs in 382 schools in December. SDPs analyze the needs of each school to address gaps, such as learning or infrastructure gaps.

TEACHER TRAINING

In Punjab, the team received nominations of 38 teachers for online teacher training. The teachers have been registered with ALIGHT's online teacher training program which is currently providing training to teachers of NCHD, PAGE, Taleem Foundation, FDE, BECS, MercyCorps, American Center English Language and Computer Program, as well as provincial school education departments.

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A productive month for the KPK-North team with meetings with regional stakeholders and partners, continuing active engagement on the OOSC campaign. District Steering Committee meetings were conducted in Peshawar, Hattian Bala, Mansehra, Mardan, and Haripur, exploring enrolment and retention data, online teacher training, EAC support incentives scholarship, BISP scholarship program, matching grants, and school supplies in non-formal schools.

The same agenda was discussed in the Provincial Steering Committee meeting in Directorate KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department (KPESED) Peshawar, representatives of KPESED, Commissionerate Afghan Refugees (CAR), NCHD, BISP and BECS participated. CAR and NCHD expressed mutual appreciation for ALIGHT's support of NCHD schools with school supplies.

The team conducted a coordination meeting with Director Education and Youth Affairs Cell Commissionerate Afghan Refugees KP for additional enrolment of OOSC, EAC support incentives data, online teachers training and involvement of CAR mobilizers and volunteers in Afghan refugee communities. In the first phase, Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan will be targeted for community mobilization, OOSC enrolment and restructuring and training of SMCs.

The team met with Chief Executive Officer Literacy Department, Ms. Mamoona Anjum, to explore collaboration on student enrolment in district Attock. In Haripur, the team met with Hattar Industries' General Manager, Mr. Faisal Aziz, for resource mobilization.

In Charsadda, the team participated in a seminar on OOSC with disabilities. The event was organized by Muslim Hands, Handicap International, and Azam Khan Education Foundation.

ALIGHT LM Naheed district Mansehra conducts a meeting with HEDO for resource mobilization and celebration of World Disability Day.

ALIGHT KPK-North Regional Manager, Wahid Gul, meets with Director Education, Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim Sb, on a new expected project which will increase the number of online teachers training and EAC support incentives.

KP–NORTH NEWS

LOCAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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ALIGHT KP Project Officer participated in the closing ceremony of the Afghan Refugees Cricket League Tournament in Hayatabad Sports Complex Peshawar. Commissioner Afghan Refugees appreciated ALIGHT Pakistan during his speech. A large number of Afghan teachers and students participated.

Multiple teacher training sessions were held on pedagogy and class room management of STAR school teachers. The sessions also explored VECs, volunteerism, value addition in community schools, OOSC enrolment efforts and resource mobilization. In Shangla, a master trainer from Education Department Shangla conducted the training.

KP–NORTH NEWS

CRICKET TOURNAMENT TEACHER TRAINING

ALIGHT Team Haripur celebrated International Children’s Day in ALIGHT schools and partner organisation BECS' schools. Children participated in games and tabloo.

ALIGHT team Haripur, MER KP and MER Islamabad visited GPS Kot Najeeb Ullah and CFS Sohail Abad Makhan colony as part of their activities.

CELEBRATIONS

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A survey in Mansehra is underway to collect data of OOSC who are engaged in child labour.

FIELD STORIESIn this excerpt, we follow four inspiring stories: an out-of-school child of a brick kiln laborer enrols in school, a woman paints the walls of a school to earn a living, a school is set up to increase the 2% literacy rate in a community, and a literacy mobiliser chances upon a young out-of-school child solving math problems.

9-year old Bisma lives in Lahore where she works in a brick kiln with her father and five siblings. She used to study in a non-formal school until, due to financial constraints, she had to leave; the family does not have the resources to give their children an education despite their strong desire to.

It all started looking up when a field team of Bunyad Literacy Community Council (BLCC), an ALIGHT partner, found out about Bisma and met her family. With some efforts, the team convinced the

In Quetta, a woman called Sherbano lives in a rented two room house with her three children. She has an unorthodox job, working as a whitewasher. The team came across her during a visit to a partner government school. To supplement her husband's income from daily wage labor that provides for her children's school fees, Ms. Sherbano began working as a whitewasher. With her first paint job, she earned PKR 600 (8.50$) over three days, which went towards her children's education. She supplements this income by stitching and sewing clothes at home, and hopes to one day open her very own boutique business. Ms. Sherbano's story is the story of every woman who rejects the notions of 'the work a woman can do,' and thinks: ‘Yes, I can do anything I want to.’

In our next human interest story, we travel further to the south of the country, to Karachi which is home to 14 non-formal STAR schools. These schools place disempowered and excluded children within the reach of qualified primary educators once again. Karachi's Gadap Town's village Khameso Malah is home to 80 households, and is among the most underdeveloped localities in the otherwise advancing city. Most of the population works as day laborers, having limited access to educational facilities, safe drinking water, electricity, and basic health facilities. According to our data, 98% of the community is illiterate, with children having to go to schools in nearby villages. Children are often seeing roaming the streets, when they could be inside classrooms. But with the team's successful efforts to establish a non-formal, community centered school in the village earlier this year, 30 children receive free-of-cost, quality primary education. For the parents whose girls are enroled in the school, they are comforted in the knowledge that their children are in a safe, learning environment while their parents travel to earn.

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family to send Bisma to school once again. Today, she has an excellent attendance record and dreams of becoming a doctor to serve the poor and the vulnerable, such as bonded laborers. Bisma's story is the story of every child that dreams of giving authority back to their community.

SNAPSHOT OF TARGETS ACHIEVED

Out-of-School Children Enroled

816,392440,607 375,785

Village Education Committees

03 0Trained

Children Enrolment Drives 0

Developed

Implemented

School Development Plans

23 428Non-Formal Schools Established

03

Reactivated

Trained

School Management Committees

27 44

Reactivated

CASE STUDY

It was any other day for literacy mobiliser Muhammad Umair who was passing through the marketplace of the Ghallanai village in district Mohmand. A 12-year old boy called Ahmad, working in a store, caught his eye. What was particularly fascinating about Ahmad was that he was solving complicated math problems on his fingertips. Ahmad lost his father in a bomb blast and had to leave school to support his mother's income as a seamstress. Umair met his mother who talked to him in detail about the family's dire financial circumstances, and afterwards he departed quickly to locate the rest of the team to tell them about Ahmad's story and find a solution.

Reasserting the right of every child to an education, the team started preparations to admit Ahmad into the nearest appropriate school. The young boy is now in the sixth grade of a government school in the village. His mother's gratitude is evident in the words she told the team: 'For my whole life, I will be thankful of ALIGHT.' We are proud of the ground work our field teams do every day.

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ALIGHT PakistanP. O. Box No. 571, Islamabad, PakistanP: +92 51 2820437-40 F: +92 51 2820436E: info@ alightpakistan.org

alightpakistan

alightpakistan

alightpakistan

www.alightpakistan.org

Legal Status: ALIGHT, (formerly ARC), is registered with the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Interior vide letter No 4/17/2016-PE-III dated 24th March 2016 that allows it  to undertake work for the socioeconomic development of Pakistan.

Contact:Azka Zia | Communication & Liaison Officer E: azkaz@wearealight.org

TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM BY THE NUMBERS 2019

Nomination

Enrolment Graduates

93 30 60

Balochistan

Nomination

Enrolment

Graduates

74 05 01

Sindh

Nomination

Enrolment

Graduates

420 100 29

ICT

Nomination

Enrolment

Graduates

967 192 43

Punjab

Nomination

Enrolment Graduates

508 99 32

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa North