Over 4,200 children in Pakistan fell victim to abuse, averaging a distressing 11 cases per day. Coupled with this is the grim reality that nearly 13 million children are trapped in child labor�a number projected to rise to 16 million, driven by the economic aftershocks of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pakistan's declaration of an Education Emergency underscores the alarming state of its education system, with 26 million children out of school�the highest globally. This crisis is more than a failure in education; it exacerbates vulnerabilities, exposing children to abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Education is a powerful shield, offering protection and empowerment. Integrating child protection with education policies is essential to address systemic challenges, safeguard children�s futures, and ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
The fifth episode of our podcast, Let's Talk Education, features Amer Habib, a UNICEF expert renowned for spearheading large-scale child protection initiatives in Pakistan. Amer shares his insights on integrating education with child protection systems, emphasizing the need for a multi-sectoral approach to support out-of-school children and those facing trauma.
The high number of out-of-school children in Pakistan exposes systemic gaps in access and equity. Without education, children are more vulnerable to exploitation and neglect. Beyond enrollment, schools must offer emotional and psychological support to address trauma from poverty, loss, or abuse�needs often overlooked in existing frameworks.
Amer emphasized the importance of teaching emotional literacy in schools, stating,
"It's fundamental to teach children how to label their emotions�recognizing feelings like anxiety or sadness�and how to cope with them. These are essential life skills that must be integrated into the curriculum alongside academic subjects.
Education systems in Pakistan cannot operate in isolation from child protection mechanisms. When children face abuse or neglect, schools must serve as safe havens, equipped to identify and address these issues. However, this requires trained teachers, collaborative policies, and interdepartmental coordination.
Amer highlighted the progress made in setting up systems like the child protection helpline (1121) and district-level child protection units in 42 districts. However, he stressed that these initiatives remain fragmented.
"Effective child protection demands a multi-sectoral approach where education, health, and protection services work in unison to meet the needs of vulnerable children,"
Civil society has piloted small-scale interventions, such as flexible school hours and community engagement initiatives, to make education more accessible and inclusive. These efforts provide valuable insights but need scaling to have a broader impact.
Amer underscored the importance of prevention, saying,
"We must reduce stigma, raise awareness about child protection, and highlight education's value through campaigns sharing success stories of overcoming barriers."
Education is not merely an academic goal�it is a vital tool for protection, empowerment, and resilience. In a country with 26 million out-of-school children, the need for an integrated approach to education and child protection has never been more urgent.
Amer left us with a powerful reminder:
"Policies and facilities are vital, but shared responsibility among teachers, administrators, and protection systems is key to achieving education and child protection goals."
For policymakers, practitioners, and civil society, the challenge is clear: we must act now to provide every child with the education and safety they deserve. Only then can we unlock the true potential of our nation's most valuable resource�our children.
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