Bring Out of School Children to Schools - Pakistan

Project Report

Bringing Out-of-School Children Back to School

Weaving People to Grow Foundation (WPTGF)

Project Progress Report for GlobalGiving

Date: October 23. 2026

Executive Summary

Education is a powerful means of breaking the cycle of poverty, creating opportunities for a better future, and fostering peaceful coexistence. Since 2023, Weaving People to Grow Foundation (WPTGF) has been implementing the project “Bringing Out-of-School Children Back to School” to provide accessible, quality non-formal education and support the transition of vulnerable children into formal schooling. The project focuses on children from marginalized and low-income families who have never attended school or have dropped out due to poverty, child labour, migration, family responsibilities, and limited access to educational opportunities.

Through its Non-Formal Education Centre (NFEC), WPTGF has provided accelerated learning, moral education, and peace education to more than 100 out-of-school children. Through sustained community mobilization and active parental engagement, the Foundation has facilitated the transition of 61 children into mainstream schools. In the current year, the project has enrolled 35 Muslim and Christian children in formal education, promoting equal access to learning across religious communities. In addition to educational support and learning materials, WPTGF is working to improve children's school retention by strengthening parental livelihoods through vocational skills training and income-generating opportunities. This integrated approach addresses the underlying economic barriers to education, reduces the risk of future school dropouts, and contributes to building an inclusive, educated, and peaceful society.

Background

Pakistan is facing a severe education crisis, with approximately 25.15 million children aged 5–16 years out of school, according to the cited Pakistan Education Statistics (2023–24/2024–25) and UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2026. This places Pakistan among the countries with the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive and accessible educational opportunities. The crisis is driven by multiple interconnected factors, including children who have never enrolled in school, those who have dropped out before completing primary education, and those who enter the education system later than the appropriate age. Gender disparities, widespread poverty, child labour, inadequate educational facilities in marginalized communities, and limited parental awareness of the long-term value of education further exacerbate the situation. These barriers disproportionately affect children from low-income households, where meeting basic needs often takes priority over educational expenses, forcing many children to remain out of school or discontinue their studies.

In response to these challenges, Weaving People to Grow Foundation (WPTGF) established its Non-Formal Education Centre (NFEC) to provide vulnerable and marginalized children with access to learning opportunities. The centre aims to bridge educational gaps through accelerated learning and holistic child development, equipping children with the academic knowledge, social skills, and confidence needed to transition successfully into mainstream schools and continue their education.

Project Objectives

The project aims to:

• Provide accelerated non-formal education to out-of-school children.
• Prepare children for admission into formal schools.
• Promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and moral values among children.
• Increase parental awareness regarding the importance of education.
• Facilitate enrolment and retention in mainstream schools.
• Reduce educational inequalities affecting marginalized communities.
• Improve household resilience through livelihood and vocational support for parents.

Project ImplementationEstablishment of the Non-Formal Education Centre (NFEC)

Since 2023, WPTGF has been operating a Non-Formal Education Centre where children receive:

• Accelerated literacy and numeracy education
• Basic English and Urdu language instruction
• Moral education
• Peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence education
• Social and life skills
• Interactive learning activities

The centre provides a safe and inclusive learning environment for children belonging to vulnerable Muslim and Christian communities.

To date:

• More than 100 out-of-school children have received education at the NFEC.
• Students have successfully completed accelerated learning modules preparing them for mainstream education.

Community Mobilization

Recognizing that parental attitudes and community support play a crucial role in children's school enrolment and retention, Weaving People to Grow Foundation (WPTGF) has undertaken continuous community mobilization and awareness-raising initiatives to encourage families to prioritize education. These efforts have included household visits, individual parent counselling, awareness meetings, community dialogues, and education advocacy campaigns. Through these initiatives, parents and caregivers have been sensitized to the long-term benefits of education, the harmful consequences of child labour, the importance of regular school attendance, and the need to ensure equal educational opportunities for both girls and boys. By engaging directly with families and addressing their concerns, WPTGF has strengthened parental awareness and encouraged greater commitment to children's education.

As a result of these sustained efforts, 61 children have successfully transitioned into mainstream schools, marking a significant achievement in improving access to formal education for children from vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Partnership with Trust for Voluntary Organizations (TVO)

One of the project's major milestones has been the establishment of a partnership with the Trust for Voluntary Organizations (TVO), a semi-government organization committed to supporting community development initiatives.The partnership agreement was officially received by the Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah.

Through this collaboration:

• 35 Muslim and Christian children studying at the WPTGF Non-Formal Education Centre were successfully enrolled into mainstream schools.
• The initiative strengthened collaboration between civil society and government institutions to improve educational access for marginalized children.
• The partnership demonstrates an effective model for scaling community-led education initiatives through institutional support.

Educational Support Package

To ensure that financial barriers do not prevent children from remaining in school, WPTGF provided each enrolled child with:

• School uniforms
• School bags
• Textbooks
• Exercise books
• Stationery
• Payment of school fees for one academic year

These interventions have significantly reduced the financial burden on vulnerable families and improved school attendance.

Peace Education and Social Cohesion

Education at the NFEC extends beyond academic learning.

Children participate in structured sessions promoting:

• Peaceful coexistence
• Respect for diversity
• Religious harmony
• Tolerance
• Mutual understanding
• Non-violent conflict resolution
• Civic responsibility

Children from Muslim and Christian communities learn together in an inclusive environment, helping reduce prejudice and strengthen social cohesion from an early age.

This integrated approach contributes to building peaceful communities while preventing discrimination and social exclusion.

Livelihood Support for Parents

WPTGF recognizes that sustainable educational outcomes require improved household economic conditions.

Many children leave school because families cannot afford educational expenses or rely on children's labour for income.

To address these root causes, the project supports parents through:

• Vocational skills training
• Entrepreneurship development
• Small business management training
• Livelihood improvement initiatives

These interventions aim to:

• Increase household income.
• Reduce financial stress.
• Improve family resilience.
• Enable parents to continue supporting their children's education.
• Prevent future school dropouts.

Project Achievements

Since project implementation, WPTGF has achieved the following:

Indicator

Achievement

Non-Formal Education Centre established

1

Children receiving non-formal education

Over 100

Children enrolled in mainstream schools

61

Children enrolled through TVO partnership

35

School uniforms distributed

35

Books and stationery provided

35

School fees supported

35 children for one academic year

Parents mobilized through awareness sessions

Hundreds of family members reached

Peace education sessions conducted

Regularly integrated into learning programme

Impact

The project has generated significant positive outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Improved Access to Education

Children who previously had little or no access to education are now attending formal schools and continuing their academic journey.

Enhanced Learning Outcomes

Accelerated learning has enabled children to bridge educational gaps and transition successfully into age-appropriate school grades.

Increased Community Awareness

Parents now better understand the value of education and demonstrate stronger commitment to keeping children in school.

Promoting Peaceful Coexistence

Children from different faith communities learn together, fostering mutual respect, friendship, and inclusive values that contribute to long-term peacebuilding.

Reduced Financial Barriers

Educational assistance has eased the economic burden on vulnerable families and encouraged regular school attendance.

Improved Household Resilience

Livelihood support initiatives are helping parents develop sustainable income sources, reducing the likelihood of children dropping out due to poverty.

Challenges

Despite encouraging progress, several challenges remain:

• High poverty levels continue to force many children into labour.
• Rising inflation increases educational costs for vulnerable families.
• Some parents still prioritize immediate income over education.
• Limited funding restricts the number of children who can be supported.
• Transportation costs remain a barrier for some children.

Lessons Learned

The project has demonstrated that:

• Community mobilization and parental engagement play a vital role in increasing school enrolment and encouraging families to prioritize education.
• Accelerated non-formal education provides out-of-school children with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to transition successfully into mainstream schools.
• Educational assistance packages, including essential learning materials, help reduce financial barriers and improve children's school attendance and retention.
• Peace education fosters mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding, strengthening social cohesion and promoting inclusive and harmonious communities.
• Parental livelihood support and vocational skills development help improve household income, reduce financial pressures, and contribute to sustainable educational outcomes.
• Partnerships with government institutions and other stakeholders expand educational opportunities, strengthen implementation, and enhance the long-term impact and sustainability of the project.

Future Plans

WPTGF aims to expand the project by:

• Increasing the number of Non-Formal Education Centres.
• Reaching more out-of-school children in underserved communities.
• Expanding partnerships with government and development organizations.
• Providing vocational training to more parents.
• Enhancing digital learning opportunities.
• Establishing continuous mentoring and monitoring systems for enrolled students.
• Strengthening peace education curricula within non-formal education programmes.

Conclusion

The “Bringing Out-of-School Children Back to School” project highlights the transformative impact of community-driven and holistic interventions in improving the lives of vulnerable children and their families. By integrating accelerated learning, parental engagement, peace education, educational assistance, and livelihood support, Weaving People to Grow Foundation (WPTGF) has provided more than 100 out-of-school children with access to educational opportunities. Through these sustained efforts, 61 children have successfully transitioned into mainstream schools, including 35 enrolled through WPTGF’s partnership with TVO. The project demonstrates WPTGF’s commitment to promoting inclusive education, strengthening family resilience, and fostering peaceful coexistence within marginalized communities.The project reflects WPTGF's commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of socioeconomic background or religious identity, has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Pakistan. Continued support from GlobalGiving and development partners will enable WPTGF to expand this model and reach many more out-of-school children who remain deprived of their fundamental right to education.