PESHAWAR: A pre-budget seminar held in Peshawar on Friday underscored the urgent need for increased funding to strengthen girls’ secondary education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The seminar, titled “Equitable Budgeting for Girls’ Education”, brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, education departments, and media to align fiscal priorities with the pressing educational needs of girls in the province.
The event was jointly organized by Blue Veins, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Welfare and Protection Commission (KPCWPC), National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), and the Pakistan Education Champion Network.
Muhammad Ijaz Khalil, Chief Planning Officer of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, presented the current education budget framework, highlighting government efforts to improve access and quality. He noted the department’s commitment to a 70/30 budget allocation model favoring girls’ education, particularly at the secondary level, where dropout rates are disproportionately high.
“We recognize that equitable education begins with equitable budgeting,” Khalil said. “Our focus is now sharper on girls’ secondary education.”
The seminar also featured the participation of the Rise and Shine Girls’ Education Leaders Network and members of the Joint Working Group of National Human Rights Institutions, who submitted formal recommendations to the education department. These included calls for gender-inclusive budgeting, implementation of existing policies, and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Taj Muhammad, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, affirmed the government’s resolve. “Uplifting girls’ education is not a favor; it is our duty,” he said. “We are committed to prioritizing girls’ secondary education in the upcoming budget and implementing the long-delayed rules of the 2017 Education Act.”
Amna Durrani, Program Director at KPCSW, stressed the broader implications of investing in girls’ education. “This is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal imperative,” she said. “A gender-responsive budget is a critical step toward a more equitable and just society.”
Qamar Naseem, Program Manager at Blue Veins, emphasized the power of cross-sector collaboration. “Real change happens when policymakers, civil society, media, and faith leaders unite for a cause,” he said.
The seminar concluded with a shared consensus that education is a fundamental right. Participants urged the government to translate its commitments into action through the upcoming fiscal budget, ensuring that no girl in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is left behind.
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