Enforce Universal Primary and Secondary School Education in Pakistan

To address the education crisis in Pakistan, HDF is implementing a one-year project addressing public advocacy and awareness with USAID, "Advocacy Campaign for Education Sector Reforms in Pakistan."

The project has been designed to educate and empower communities, improve the understanding of Article 25- A, and to lobby with the key stakeholders to inform people about their rights to a free and compulsory education in Pakistan.

Did you know that  the contributing factors for children out of school in Pakistan are due to:

1). Low investment in education from parents

2). Poverty

3). Lack of school in the vicinity

Other common issues identified by respondents was poor quality of education offered in government schools;  unavailability of girls' schools; lack of adequate teachers; and overpriced private education. 

In a study conducted by HDF, less than 72% of people were aware that free education is a compulsory right. 

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The majority of children in rural areas of Pakistan are illiterate. Boys and girls receive primary level education in remote areas if they are fortunate enough to be able to attend school, and have an educational institution that is consistent. Most schools often lack adequate resources for children to obtain a full and comprehensive education that will assist them in their future

The majority of girls do not continue onto secondary education due to poverty, low priority given by families to educating daughters, and lack of transportation to distant secondary schools due to the absence of secondary schools for the girls in their villages. 

The graph above indicates that over 7 million children in Pakistan are out of primary school. When primary and secondary education are combined, Pakistan has nearly 25 million out of school children. The education system in Pakistan is failing to provide free educational opportunities to all school aged children.

HDF's Education & Literacy Program is an ongoing project, and our goal is to support our students well beyond the classroom setting.  Education empowers children to develop confidence. It prepares them for leadership skills and encourages civic action, while increasing participation within their own community.

Education truly is the only chance to escape the cycle of poverty for the next generation of children, their families and their communities. HDF will continue to implement its Holistic Model in program areas to allow them to rise out of poverty, improving their families' health, economic status, and well being.

Please continue your support, and stand for the universal human right for an education. Your support will change the lives of countless children who are in poverty with no options or solutions. 

Please, spread the word and help us reach 10,000 signatures for this petition!

HDF is implementing USAID's "Citizen Voice Program" in a nationwide project from The Asia Foundation for "Advocacy Campaign for Education Sector Reforms in Pakistan". This is being held in the Districts of Punjab, KPK, Balochistan, & Sindh. As part of the Advocacy Project for Education, HDF is conducting capacity building workshops for local civil society organizations. These workshops:
1). Educate organizations on issues related to education sector reforms
2). Empower people on how to raise the issue of education sector reforms through different forums
3). Develop a lobbying movement with respective local governments for the implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, where it is "the state's responsibility to provide free and compulsory education to children aged 5-16 years."
4). Link with different organizations and institutions to further expand advocacy for universal education
5). Mobilize people to demand their rights from the government

You can read more here:
http://www.hdf.com/hdf-updates/hdfs-advocacy-campaign-for-education-sector-reforms/

Please, continue to share this petition and help HDF reach it's goal of 10,000 signatures. We will be presenting signatures from the petition to key stakeholders, policy makers, and government officials. Education is a human right that must never be denied to any individual, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, or gender. Thanks for your support!

Thank you all, for your incredible support that made 2012 a year of achievements and milestones for HDF. Our resolution is to make significant changes for education in Pakistan in 2013, and we can't do it without your help!

Let us join hands and take a stand for the 25 million children that are out of school in Pakistan. Read how your support made a difference in the life of young Alia Haq, who was forced to drop out of school because of poverty, but is now heading to college to get her Bachelor's Degree!

http://www.hdf.com/hdf-updates/meet-alia/

We need you to help us reach our goal of 10,000 signatures. Let's make an impact! Sign and share the petition for Universal education in Pakistan:

www.causes.com/PakistanEducation

Pakistan has 25 million out of school children, and spends less than 2% of its GDP on Education. Education is a crumbling infrastructure and its budgets are constantly shrinking. At the current state, Pakistan - in contrast to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - has no chance of reaching the UN's Millennium Development Goals for education by 2015. Significant progress can be made in a matter of years if the government doubles its present spending on education. In order to enroll 25 children in school, it is imperative to invest and categorize education as a priority for a nation. Budgets should be allocated towards building new schools: the need to hire teachers in capacity to the amount of students is critical.

Access and quality of education is compromised: At HDF, we believe that every child has the opportunity and right to a full, complete, and quality education. HDF's Education Advocacy campaign is to ensure that every child in Pakistan receives free and compulsory education up to secondary school. Let us mobilize and take action to remind leaders and governments of their promise to do more for education.

Thank you all for helping us reach over 5,500 signatures for this petition. We are continuing our efforts in collecting additional signatures: our goal is now at 10,000. Sign this petition if you have not already, and remember to share it with your networks. Every signature counts, every comment is being shared: please continue your efforts in expanding this cause and being proactive

Act Now!
1). Sign and Share this petition: www.causes.com/PakistanEducation
2). Follow us at www.Facebook.com/LikeHDF and Twitter @FollowHDF
3). Sign up for our newsletter at www.HDF.com: we will be sharing updates, comments, and milestones.
4). Share your story: we are looking for writers, bloggers, and contributors such as yourself to actively take a stand. Email us at info@HDF.com, with subject heading "Causes Petition."
5). Donate: support HDF's Education & Literacy Program at www.HDF.com/Donate

We are over 4,000 voices stronger, and need your help to continue spreading the word. Please keep up with the comments: we are sharing them with HDF's team, Boardmembers, beneficiaries, and key stakeholders.

Education & Literacy is one of HDF's most challenging and imperative programs. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Pakistan has the opportunity and resources to receive free and compulsory education up to secondary school... and we will not rest until this objective is achieved. We must hold governments accountable and influence them towards enforcing education, and take action against those who deny children the opportunity to be part of the global population. This is a precarious time and real change can only happen if we support this cause. Add your voice and take a stand: share this petition and keep the comments going!