GAWE is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and promoting action on issues related to education. Initiated by GCE (Global Campaign for Education), it lobbies for the right to education (RTE), improving educational policies, and access to equitable learning opportunities. By raising awareness and mobilizing support, GAWE contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all by 2030.
The constitutional guarantee of free and compulsory education for every child between the ages of 5 to 16 remains largely unfulfilled as 26.2 million remain OOS. On a similar note, child labor persists as a development and human rights issue and impedes access to education. The first and only national-level Child Labor Survey in Pakistan conducted in 1996 reported 3.3 million children trapped in child labor. Although, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa conducted surveys to record child labor's status in 2020 and 2022 respectively; disparities in effective monitoring mechanisms hamper development of a clear picture.
Pakistan Coalition for Education held two Policy Discussions on 12th Annual Convention in Islamabad themed around "Re-thinking Education in the times of Covid-19". Around 100 participants attended the two sessions. The discussion brought focus to the host of unprecedented issues and limitations COVID has brought forth, and how to move forward with the education agenda.
11 years have passed since the constitutional amendment of Article 25-A, pledging free, quality and equitable education for every Pakistani child was made in Pakistan. Following this significant amendment, the Punjab assembly approved the Free & Compulsory Education Act in 2014. However, despite the lapse of seven years, the act is yet to be notified on the provincial level.
In an interview with Malala Fund, Zehra Arshad, leading the Pakistan Coalition for Education shares her mission statement and her vision to revolutionize the future of girl's education in Pakistan. Working simultaneously with multiple stakeholders, she aims to amplify the voices of young girls and demand a constitutional amendment that ensures 12 years of free quality education accessible for every child across the country.
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