EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION- KP’S STATUS By Abid Ullah Kakakhel, Dy Secretary/ Provincial Coordinator for Provision of Free Text Books Elementary & Secondary Education Department Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 16 th September, 2014

ASER data for suggest only 1 in 10 three years old and 1 in 3 four years old is in pre-school. Around 3 in 4 five years old are in school. Of these, few will come ready to learn as a result of preparation in one or two years of semi structured early childhood education.

ASER data for suggest approximately two thirds of 3-5 year olds who are enrolled in pre school or school are in government institutions. Of those children enrolled in non government institutions, just 4% are enrolled in madrassas. The vast majority attend private schools.

Barriers to ECE in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  Lack of awareness about the importance and benefits of Early Childhood Education, leading to low demand for services.  Constrained supply, with few pre-school facilities available in existing primary schools.  Lack of fiscal space in education budget to finance development of specialist facilities.  Limited discussion to date of this issue among government departments and partners.

Provincial Legal Framework  The provincial government is obliged to provide free, compulsory education to all children aged 5-16 years under Article 25A of the 18 th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.  The constitutional amendment does not therefore explicitly address Early Childhood Education.  A draft bill on the right to education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa exists, including provision for Early Childhood Education. Government is currently consulting with international and provincial stakeholders.

Early Childhood Education Policy  The Elementary & Secondary Education Department is producing a new sector plan to 2019/20 during the second half of  The new plan will include policy, a clear approach to phasing in Early Childhood Education, and an indicative resource envelope for this work.  The approach will build on pilot work taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with financial support from Australia and technical delivery through Save The Children.

Early Childhood Education Initiatives  Government is working with 400 schools in Abbottabad, Battagram, Buner and Peshawar districts over three years, using Australian funding and technical delivery through Save The Children.  This work will be rolled out, subject to available fiscal space and promising outcomes in pilot districts.  Construction of 500 new ECE rooms in primary schools  6 rooms Primary schools instead of two rooms

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