ObjectivesFund scope
People living in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been adversely affected by decades of poverty, conflict, and insecurity. Under-development that feeds cycles of political disinterest and flailing social and economic indicators—particularly those relating to gender equality. Girls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, unfortunately, still do not have full access to quality education. Schools are understaffed or under-resourced in many districts, with some barely functioning. Low enrollment and high dropout rates are the norm for many girls and young women in the province, whether that is due to poor access and quality, materials that are not ‘gender-conscious’, a lack of trained teachers or facilities for girls, and punitive educational governance systems that are controlled by men.
The Joint Programme for Quality Education in Pakistan works with national and local partners to promote equitable education for girls by strengthening gender-responsive community resilience in communities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Initiatives address challenges that affect the current state of school access, quality, and oversight (including pre-primary, primary, and secondary levels). Outcomes contribute to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the primary being SDG 4: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Strategic framework and theory of change
Joint Programme action contributes to the commitment of stakeholders to improve learning outcomes for women and girls in crisis, conflict, and fragile situations. Initiatives are designed to lower, and eventually remove, the barriers that prevent girls and young women from accessing quality education. They also support the Government of Pakistan, and local administrative authorities, to increase the enrolment and retention of girls in school. This is done by increasing access to equitable and gender-responsive education services.
By reducing obstacles that block girls’ access to safe and quality education, improved learning outcomes for girls and young women result. This requires investing in coordinated and innovative gender-responsive education systems that are integrated and complimentary. Cross-cutting issues covered under the Joint Programme include:
- Enhancing gender equality measures for youth.
- Sustainable environmental policies and practices.
- Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
- Reducing conflict and applying relevant mitigation strategies.
- Developing the capacity of men (and women) in positions of institutional power.
- Sustainable partnerships.
The Joint Programme for Quality Education in Pakistan is modelled after the frameworks of various United Nations organizations, the government’s FATA Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy, and Global Affairs Canada logic model.