By Adeel Saeed PESHAWAR, Jun 11 (APP):Parents and students across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed concern over discontinuation of girls’ stipend programme in government schools, fearing that the move could adversely affect female enrolment, retention and completion rates, particularly in underdeveloped and remote areas of the province. They feared that its discontinuation could force some families to reconsider their daughters’ education, especially in rural districts where poverty and traditional barriers already …
Withdrawal of girls’ stipend in KP schools draw concern from parents, students
By Adeel Saeed
PESHAWAR, Jun 11 (APP):Parents and students across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed concern over discontinuation of girls’ stipend programme in government schools, fearing that the move could adversely affect female enrolment, retention and completion rates, particularly in underdeveloped and remote areas of the province.
They feared that its discontinuation could force some families to reconsider their daughters’ education, especially in rural districts where poverty and traditional barriers already hinder girls’ access to schooling.
“Education is often described as free in Pakistan’s public schools. Yet for thousands of families, sending a daughter to school comes with costs that are difficult to bear. Transportation, books, uniforms, stationery, examination expenses, and other school-related costs can place education beyond the reach of low-income households,” comments Khalid Khan, a shopkeeper from Mardan.
For many girls, financial support programmes have served as an important lifeline, helping them remain in school, attend classes regularly, and continue their education despite economic hardships.
“Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, poverty remains one of the most significant barriers to girls’ education. While public schools do not charge tuition fees, families often struggle to meet the indirect costs associated with schooling,” says Ejaz Ahmad, an Educationist.
In households facing financial hardship, educational expenses compete with other basic needs, making it difficult for parents to keep their daughters in school.
Recognizing these challenges, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, in collaboration with the World Food Programme, launched a stipend programme in 2024 for girls studying in grades six to twelve in the merged districts.
Under the initiative, eligible students receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000, subject to attendance requirements. The programme targets approximately 30,000 girls in 514 schools across eight districts and represents a significant investment in improving girls’ educational participation and retention.
The rationale behind such programmes is straightforward. Financial incentives help reduce the burden on families while encouraging girls to remain enrolled and attend school regularly, Ejaz explains.
Even relatively small amounts can help cover transportation costs, purchase stationery, contribute toward uniforms, or reduce other expenses that often prevent girls from continuing their education. However, many students in other parts of the province say they have yet to benefit from similar support.
Razia Sultana (name changed), a Class 8 student at a government school in Peshawar, said the stipend may appear small to others, but it can make a real difference for students from low-income families.
“We regularly hear that there is a stipend for girls, but we have not received it for years,” she said.
“My classmates and I often ask about it because many families struggle to meet school expenses. Even a small amount helps us buy notebooks, stationery, and other things we need for school.”
Her concerns reflect a broader issue highlighted in recent reports stating that the province-wide girls’ stipend programme, which was introduced to improve attendance, reduce dropout rates and encourage girls’ education, has reportedly remained unpaid for the past three years.
The programme was designed to support girls enrolled in government schools and was considered particularly beneficial for students from poor households.
Mujeeb Ahmad, a daily wager from a rural village in Peshawar whose daughters attend government schools said that educational expenses continue to increase despite schooling being officially free.
“People often assume that government education does not cost anything, but that is not true,” he said.
“Transport, uniforms, notebooks, examination fees, and other expenses add up quickly. For families with several children, every bit of support matters. A stipend may seem small, but it can make a real difference in helping girls continue their education.”
Reports suggest that the stipend programme had a positive impact on enrolment and attendance before payments were interrupted. School administrators and parents observed that girls were more likely to attend classes regularly and remain enrolled when financial support was available.
The stipend also helped students purchase educational supplies and reduced pressure on families struggling to meet daily expenses.
The reported suspension of payments raises important questions about how best to support girls’ education at a time when economic pressures on households continue to grow. Rising inflation, increasing transportation costs, and higher living expenses have made it more difficult for many families to keep their children in school.
Qamar Naseem, a girls’ education advocate, Malala Fund Education Champion, and focal person for the National Coalition affiliated with the global alliance Girls Not Brides, believes that financial support programmes remain an important tool for improving educational outcomes for girls.”
For many families, the cost of education is not limited to school fees,” Qamar commented.
“Transportation, uniforms, stationery, examination expenses, and other indirect costs often determine whether a girl stays in school or drops out. Stipend programmes may appear modest in value, but they can have a significant impact on attendance, retention, and educational continuity, particularly for girls from low-income households,” he added.
The benefits of keeping girls in school extend far beyond education itself. Girls who complete their education are more likely to enjoy better health outcomes, participate in the workforce, earn higher incomes, and contribute to their communities, Qamar argues.
Education also plays a critical role in delaying child marriage and expanding opportunities for girls to make informed decisions about their futures.
He believed investments in girls’ education should be viewed as investments in broader social and economic development.
“When girls remain in school, they are more likely to delay marriage, participate in the workforce, and contribute to their communities. Financial support programmes should therefore be viewed not as an expense but as an investment in the province’s future.”
While stipend programmes alone cannot solve every challenge facing girls’ education, they can help address one of the most persistent barriers: poverty. Combined with quality education, safe learning environments, accessible transportation, and community awareness, financial assistance can help create conditions in which more girls are able to complete their education.
At a time when governments and development partners are seeking effective ways to improve educational outcomes, the lesson is clear. Supporting girls’ education requires more than building schools and hiring teachers. It also requires addressing the financial barriers that continue to prevent many girls from reaching the classroom and remaining there.
