In one of the countries with the highest rate of illiteracy and school dropout, the Caritas Community School project tries to bring children back to school. For Caritas Karachi’s Mansha Noor, this programme “creates awareness”.
Karachi (AsiaNews) – Caritas Pakistan inaugurated two community schools on Tuesday in Mir Khan Goth and Yousaf Goth, St Michael’s parish, Archdiocese of Karachi. Their aim is to fight school dropout and child labour.
Through its Community School project, Caritas plans to provide primary level education to children who left school for financial or work-related reasons.
The programme is outside the regular school system and does not offer a formal education; however, it is aimed at facilitating the reintegration into the world of education of children forced to leave school.
“Caritas Pakistan is committed to providing school dropouts and working children equal access to lifelong education, and extinguish illiteracy among school dropouts,” said Mansha Noor, executive secretary of Caritas Pakistan Karachi.
“The Caritas Community School [programme] creates awareness among children and parents about the importance of education for the bright future of their children.”
According to a recent Human Rights Watch survey, more than half of the Pakistani population is still illiterate (almost 57 per cent of adults cannot read) and about 22.5 million children, mostly girls, do not go to school and do not have access to basic education.
What is most frightening is the school dropout rate, one of the highest in the world. An estimated five million children stop their education each year before they complete their primary education.
Amir Robin, national coordinator of non-formal education program, said that “education is essential for our children to become leaders for change. At the same time, educated children benefit entire societies and families. Education is the fundamental human right of each person for their better future.”
At the end of the ceremony, in the presence of Father Ashir Ifitakhar, pastor at St Michael’s parish, textbooks, stationery, bags and backpacks were handed out to the children present.
“I always liked going to school and I dreamt of going back,” said Ribka, 12. “Today my dream has come true thanks to Caritas and one day I hope to become a teacher too.”