The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme is a transformative Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative aimed at encouraging education among children of active Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Kafalat beneficiaries. By providing financial incentives, the programme seeks to reduce dropout rates and ensure higher retention in primary, secondary, and higher secondary education.
Objectives
The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme is designed to achieve the following:
- Raise Awareness: Promote the importance of education among BISP families.
- Boost Enrollment: Ensure children from beneficiary families are enrolled in schools.
- Enhance Attendance: Improve regular attendance among enrolled children.
- Reduce Dropouts: Minimize school dropout rates.
Stakeholders
The programme’s success relies on collaboration between several key stakeholders:
- BISP: Central implementation body.
- Provincial Education Departments: Partners in education infrastructure and policy support.
- Schools: Both public and private institutions play a critical role.
- Donors: Provide financial and technical support.
Background
Launched in November 2012 as a pilot project in five districts, the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme has grown significantly. By July 2020, it expanded nationwide, covering all districts of Pakistan. This expansion reflects its proven success and the government’s commitment to education.
Key Processes
- Micro Supply Capacity Assessment (MSCA):
Data collection from provincial education departments to assess school capacity ensures sufficient facilities before starting enrollment. - Social Mobilization:
Awareness campaigns by BISP field teams encourage enrollment and motivate compliance. - Registration and Enrollment:
Eligible families are invited to nearby centers for registration. The programme supports children aged 4-12 years (primary), 8-18 years (secondary), and 13-22 years (higher secondary). - Admission and Attendance Compliance:
Cash transfers are conditional upon 70% quarterly attendance. Non-compliance results in suspension from the program. - Case Management:
Beneficiaries can lodge complaints through field offices for quick resolution, enhancing program efficiency.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme:
- The child must belong to an active BISP Kafalat beneficiary family.
- Age requirements include:
- 4-12 years for primary education.
- 8-18 years for secondary education.
- 13-22 years for higher secondary education.
- Required documents include:
- Parent/guardian’s CNIC.
- Child’s B-form or Child Registration Certificate (CRC) issued by NADRA.
- School admission slip verified by a school/college teacher.
Required Documents
Prepare the following documents for the application process:
- CNIC of the parent or guardian (BISP Kafalat beneficiary).
- Child’s B-form or Child Registration Certificate (CRC) issued by NADRA.
- School admission slip, verified by the school/college teacher, containing details such as the child’s name, class, and institution name.
Application Process
- Visit the Nearest BISP Office or Enrollment Camp
- Go to the BISP enrollment camp or your local BISP field office with the required documents.
- Enrollment camps are often set up in accessible locations across districts.
- Register the Child
- Provide the child’s B-form/CRC for verification through the NADRA database.
- Submit the school/college admission slip.
- Ensure the child is enrolled in a school/college in any district of Pakistan.
- Attend Beneficiary Information Sessions
- BISP conducts Public Information Campaigns (PIC) to educate applicants about the process. Attend these sessions for additional guidance.
- Compliance Verification
- To remain eligible for quarterly stipends, ensure the child:
- Is regularly attending school (at least 70% attendance per quarter).
- Continues enrollment in the same or another recognized institution.
- To remain eligible for quarterly stipends, ensure the child:
Benefit Amounts
The programme incentivizes education with gender-sensitive cash benefits:
Education Level | Per Boy/Quarter (PKR) | Per Girl/Quarter (PKR) |
---|---|---|
Primary | 1,500 | 2,000 |
Secondary | 2,500 | 3,000 |
Higher Secondary | 3,500 | 4,000 |
The initiative also provides a one-time graduation bonus of PKR 3,000 for girls completing primary education.
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Enrollment and Impact
Since its inception, the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme has enrolled over 12 million children, disbursing PKR 63.34 billion. It has played a pivotal role in increasing school attendance and reducing dropout rates across Pakistan.
Conclusion
The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to tackling educational challenges in Pakistan. By incentivizing families, particularly focusing on girls’ education, it fosters a brighter future for millions of children and contributes to the nation’s socio-economic progress.