PESHAWAR - Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, chaired a meeting on Friday to address the pressing issue of out-of-school children in the province.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Education, Secretary of Planning and Development, Secretary of Labour, and other relevant officials.
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to develop an integrated strategy with a clear action plan to tackle the issue of out-of-school children.
The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders—including government departments, donors, and other partners—to formulate a comprehensive strategy. He emphasized that addressing the issue of out-of-school children is of utmost importance and requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.
A team comprising representatives from the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, Planning and Development Department, Labour Department, and UNICEF will be formed to develop the plan. This team is expected to present a detailed proposal within a month, outlining specific interventions and actionable steps to address the issue effectively.
The Chief Secretary directed the team to recommend specific requirements that can be incorporated into the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the Education Department to address the issue effectively. He underscored the need for an approach with clear timelines, given the critical importance of this matter.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of out-of-school children and ensuring that every child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has access to quality education. The development of an integrated plan is expected to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve educational outcomes across the province.
CS for community engagement during polio eradication drives
Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, chaired a post-campaign review meeting of the April Anti-Polio (NID) campaign. The meeting was attended by the Coordinator of the Provincial EOC, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, District Health Officers, and other relevant officials.
During the meeting, a detailed presentation was delivered based on analytical data and figures. The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of applying lessons learned from the April campaign to improve the upcoming May campaign. He underscored the need for effective micro-plans, community engagement, and thorough pre-campaign preparations.
The Chief Secretary linked the performance evaluation of officers to polio eradication efforts, highlighting the role of accountability in enhancing campaign quality. The meeting noted a decrease in the number of missed children and an increase in the number of households and Union Councils (UCs) covered compared to the February 2025 campaign. Priority UCs were reduced from 276 in February 2025 to 166 in April 2025, indicating significant progress in vaccination efforts.
He further emphasized the need to improve access to communities and to prioritize routine immunization. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining quality in anti-polio campaigns and directed special attention to areas where the virus is still circulating. A plan was presented to bridge gaps in campaign quality by enhancing access, strengthening oversight, and training staff.
The government remains committed to eradicating polio with the support of communities, and influencer-led models are being implemented in various areas.