Staff Report
PESHAWAR:A meeting was convened today at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Secretariat between the Elementary and Secondary Education Department (E&SED) and members of the Rise and Shine Girls’ Education Leadership Network. The engagement provided a platform for the girl leaders from secondary schools to voice their experiences and concerns regarding access to quality education.
Key officials from the department, including Abdul Basit – Special Secretary (Establishment), Ijaz Muhammad Khalil – Senior Planning Officer/Advisor to the Minister, Fiaz Alam – Special Secretary (Reforms & Implementation), Muhammad Alam – Planning Officer, and Shahabullah Khan – Senior Planning Officer, were present and actively listened to the students, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive policy dialogue and youth participation in the education sector.
During the session, girl students of secondary level who are members of the Rise and Shine network highlighted critical barriers to girls’ education in their communities, including lack of transportation, school infrastructure gaps, teacher shortages, and gender-sensitive facilities.
The E&SED team briefed the students on the department’s priorities and in-line policy directions for the Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which include targeted interventions to improve school infrastructure, strengthen teacher recruitment and training, and expand access for marginalized communities—all aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
Abdul Basit, Special Secretary (Establishment), emphasized the department’s openness to youth engagement:
“Today’s dialogue is a strong reminder that girls are not just beneficiaries of policy but critical partners in shaping it. Their voices must remain central to our education planning and reform processes.”
Ijaz Muhammad Khalil, Senior Planning Officer and Advisor to the Minister, added:
“We are committed to translating young people’s insights into tangible action. These interactions strengthen our resolve to make policy more responsive and data-driven.”
Quratulain, a member of the Rise and Shine Girls’ Education Leadership Network, said:
“It was powerful to be heard by those in charge of education policy. Our lived experiences carry solutions, and we hope the department will walk with us to turn challenges into opportunities for all girls in KP.”
At the close of the meeting, the Rise and Shine Girls’ Education Leadership Network extended a heartfelt vote of thanks to the department for creating a space where young girls could speak openly and be heard with respect. They expressed hope that this dialogue would be the beginning of more regular and meaningful engagement between student leaders and education policymakers in the province.
