March, 2019

Monthly Education Updates

Dear Readers,

Here are the top news and resources to help you stay up-to-date with our latest events and project activities!

ASER 2018 Punjab Provincial Launch

Assessment for Action
ASER 2018 was released in Lahore by chief guest Muhammad Mahmood (Secretary School Education Dept). Representatives from PEF, PEC, universities and civil society organizations were also present. ASER rural Punjab survey results indicate a decrease in the proportion of out-of-school children- down from 14% in 2016 to 11% in 2018. A promising trend was observed in access and quality, gender gap, rural girls’ enrollment, and primary education levels of mothers among other variables. For the year 2018, the ASER rural survey assessed 45,498 children of 5-16 year age cohort in Language, English, and Arithmetic competencies. The report aims to inform progress and continued challenges with respect to Article 25 A of the constitution making education a fundamental right for 5-16 year old children since 2010 and also for tracking progress towards SDG 4 measuring learning outcomes at the lower primary level.


International Women’s Day	ASER Seminar at FJWU	ASER Pakistan KPK Launch 2018

Better the Balance, Better the World		Gender Justice

The Karachi ITA’s team showed its commitment towards achieving gender equality by organizing Women’s Day celebration events. Our Siyani Sahelian came together representing all girls deprived of education, a basic right. ITA's team members also participated in Aurat Marches held across the country. Our CEO Baela Raza Jamil pledges to "Reducing gender disparities within education to empower more girls and women".	Our Data Analyst, Mr. Waqas Imran, presented results of ASER Report 2018 in Fatima Jinnah Women’s University. A detailed presentation and documentary was followed by a feedback session. During this, students and faculty members engaged in a thorough discussion on the problems concerning out-of-school children, quality of learning, and inclusion. ASER was appreciated for its comprehensive reach (covering all 153 districts of Pakistan).	ASER Report was launched in PC hotel Peshawar on 21st March. The launch was followed by a Policy Dialogue on Gender Justice. The panelists included notables from the government, development agencies, and teaching faculty. It was chaired by Mr. Taj Muhammad Rand, Chairman Standing Committee for Education KPK. ASER 2018 report shows promising trends in terms of access and quality, 87% children aged 6-16 are enrolled in schools as compared to 86% in 2016; there is good news for quality too! For the year 2018, the ASER KP rural survey assessed 31,189 children of 5-16 year age cohort in Language (Urdu/Pashto), English, and Arithmetic competencies.


	Better the Balance, Better the World
As part of its Right to Education program, ITA conducted Education Youth Ambassador (EYA) training in Quetta. 50 youth attended the training where 5 of them will mentor another 50 expanding awareness and reach. As provided in Article 25-A of the Constitution, RTE aims to mobilize parents, teachers, students/youth and civil society in the struggle to demand free and compulsory quality education for all children.



ITA in partnership with Telenor Pakistan has launched its second Safe Internet and School Outreach Program. Through interactive activity-based awareness sessions, this project is designed to empower girls and boys to use ICT and internet responsibly in a safe manner. It also enhances the capacity of project staff, teachers, School Management Council members and students on child protection. A total of 125,000 children and 5000 teachers will be trained until December 2019.