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Education

Taraqee Foundation has been making efforts in education sector since 1996. In the beginning the functional literacy and skill development components were incorporated in the MFED program and in the education component under the BHES program. It was formally declared as a program in 2004.

Taraqee is working on inclusive education in 264 schools of district Mansehra in partnership with UNICEF. This program focuses on including physically challenged children in mainstream education system, increasing enrollment, reducing drop out and improving attendance and involving communities in school improvement activities through parent teacher associations. In a short duration of nine months TF was able to bring 4000 children back to school under this project.

TF is striving to improve formal primary education in Balochistan. Currently TF has started its education program with the support of PPAF under its Social Sector Development Program (SSDP). In this pilot phase of the project one school has been established in two remote districts of rural Balochistan; one in Mashkaf a small village of district Bolan and another one in Gathra a village of district Jhal Magsi. These two schools have proved to be replicable models now. The schools have enrollment to their full capacity with a 70 female enrollment. The drop out rate is less then 3% and the attendance remains 96% on average.

TF is also working on educating children involved in child labor. The intervention is mainly supported by ILO. It aims to eradicate worst form of child labor from deep sea fishing industry in district Gawadar through provision of educational and literacy services to child laborers and social safety nets to their families along with capacity building of District Government to address Child Labor concerns in a sustainable and effective manner.

The project is targeting 1800 child laborers between the ages of 5 and 17 years and their families. The project is designed to work at two levels; one directly with the beneficiaries and their families and the other is advocacy at government level. TF had been able to establish 33 NFE centers and six literacy centers in the target areas. It arranged teachers training, liaison with district government, registered and trained Community Citizen Boards and conducted awareness raising sessions with deep sea fishing industry employers / contractors on Occupational Safety Hazards (OSH). For general public awareness on the same, TF produced and disseminated printed material, video documentary and conducted walks and rallies.