Thar Education Alliance Distributes Bicycles to Increase School Attendance

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The Thar Education Alliance (TEA), in partnership with Indigo Textile, UNDP’s SDG Unit, and the Tharparkar District Education Department, distributed 80 bicycles to deserving female students facing transportation challenges that hinder their school attendance at Government High School Malanhore Veena.

A diverse array of attendees, including representatives from the district education sector, civil society, activists, journalists, and the local community, gathered for the event. The Chief Executive Officer of the Thar Education Alliance expressed concern about the current situation where more than 0.3 million children in Thar are out of school, with a particularly high number of female students affected by distance and other barriers to access. Providing bicycles to these deserving female students represents not only a pilot initiative but also a strategic step towards addressing these challenges, aiming to break societal norms and ensure consistent school attendance.

Tharparkar district faces one of the lowest female literacy rates in the country, compounded by factors such as long distances to schools, cultural obstacles, and safety concerns. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Thar Education Alliance and Indigo Textile have joined forces in a collaborative effort to tackle this pressing issue. With a shared dedication to social development and a deep appreciation for the transformative potential of education, this partnership endeavors to dismantle barriers and facilitate unimpeded access to education for girls in Tharparkar. Through the “Pedaling towards Education” project, they embark on a journey to empower girls and cultivate a culture of learning in the heart of Tharparkar.

Assistant Commissioner Mithi, Riaz Ali Shaikh, underscored the significant challenge posed by out-of-school children in Tharparkar but noted that the government is actively addressing this issue through reforms and policies. He praised the efforts of the Thar Education Alliance, highlighting that their initiative signifies progress towards achieving SDG4.

District Education Officer Narsingh Bheel, alongside DSP Waqas Durani, Sushil Malani, HM Satram Das, Ex-HM Ramchand Shivani, and other members of the local community, participated in the event, expressing their support for the initiative and recognizing the importance of providing bicycles to female students from five different schools in Malanhore Veena.