The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has effectively discontinued the schoolgirls’ stipend program for the third consecutive year, leaving over 600,000 female students in government schools without payments since 2022, according to reports.
The initiative was launched by the Awami National Party-led government after the 2008 general elections to improve attendance, retain enrolment, and reduce dropout rates among girls studying in grades 6 to 10 in public schools.
Officials revealed that the education department requires Rs3.8 billion annually to distribute stipends to eligible students. However, for the last three fiscal years, files requesting the release of funds have been circulating between the finance and education departments without approval.
Under the scheme, each student was entitled to receive Rs200 per month, provided she maintained at least 80% attendance. Headmistresses were tasked with distributing the stipend every six months. Despite the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government increasing the stipend to Rs500 per student, the funds have not been released since 2022-23.
Officials said that the schoolgirls’ stipend program had significantly boosted enrolment and reduced absenteeism, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas. They noted that although the amount was modest, it offered vital financial relief to families struggling with poverty.
Reports noted that the education department has been preparing and forwarding all required documents to the finance department at the start of every fiscal year since 2022-23, but the funds remain unreleased.