Islamabad has taken a decisive step toward universal education under its “No Child Left Behind” initiative, as the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) reports early progress from its ongoing “Carpet Coverage” campaign.
According to an official press release issued on Sunday, extensive field operations carried out across multiple Union Councils in the federal capital have led to the identification of 3,646 out-of-school children. The effort marks a critical milestone in the government’s broader strategy to bring every child into the education system.
Data recorded in the Non-Formal Education Management Information System reveals a nearly equal gender distribution among the identified children, with 1,862 boys accounting for 51 percent and 1,784 girls making up 49 percent. All of these children are currently categorized as identified but not yet enrolled, highlighting the next major phase of the initiative.
The identification campaign was driven by a coordinated, multi-organization approach led by the National Commission for Human Development, which identified the majority of cases, totaling 2,877 children. Additional contributions came from JJT with 433 children, the National Education Foundation with 157, and BECS with 85. Civil society organizations, including Muslim Hands and Sunbeams, also played a supporting role, identifying 78 and 37 children respectively.
Officials described these figures as a foundational baseline that will guide targeted interventions aimed at enrolling these children into both formal and non-formal education streams. The data-driven approach is expected to enhance efficiency in resource allocation and outreach planning.
Federal Education Secretary Nadeem Mahbub underscored that the initiative is part of a comprehensive three-year rolling plan. The first phase sets an ambitious target of enrolling 25,000 out-of-school children. He explained that priority will be given to placing students in Federal Directorate of Education institutions, while community-based schools will be utilized in areas where public school infrastructure is limited.
Related: MoFEPT Sets Bold Target to End Out-of-School Crisis
The ministry is also strengthening partnerships with non-governmental organizations and private sector stakeholders to expand access and ensure sustainability. The overarching goal, officials emphasized, is to eliminate barriers to education and guarantee that every child in the capital has the opportunity to attend school regardless of socioeconomic constraints.
