School enrolment campaign targets 1.3m in KP

The provincial government on Thursday formally launched the School Enrolment Campaign 2026–27 aimed at bringing more children into schools, mainstreaming out-of-school children and reducing dropout rates across the province.
The campaign was inaugurated by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Arshad Ayub Khan and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah.
The initiative focuses on fresh enrolments, reintegrating children who are currently out of school and improving retention at both primary and secondary levels.
For the academic year 2026–27, the government has set a target of enrolling 1,328,620 children, including 684,363 boys and 644,259 girls. In addition, 643,715 out-of-school children will be brought back into the education system, including 261,435 boys and 382,280 girls.
The provincial government has also set targets to reduce dropout rates, aiming to lower the primary-level dropout rate from seven per cent to five per cent, while the secondary-level rate will be reduced from eight per cent to six per cent.
To achieve these targets, 65pc of enrolments will be made through government schools, 30pc through private institutions and 5pc through accelerated learning programmes and non-formal education initiatives.
A digital dashboard has also been established to monitor the progress of the enrolment campaign on a daily basis.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khan said the government was committed to ensuring access to quality education for every child in the province, adding that special attention would be given to promoting girls’ education.
Mr Shah directed deputy commissioners to closely monitor the enrolment campaign at the district level and ensure active public participation to achieve the set targets.
Prior to the launch of the campaign, a review meeting on enrolment targets was also held. Officials from the Elementary and Secondary Education Department and UNICEF attended the meeting.
Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education Khalid Khan briefed participants and informed them that a special survey would be conducted to obtain accurate data on out-of-school children.