Introduction

In order to enhance literacy rate, Ministry of Education had launched a national project for establishment of 10000 Non-formal Basic Education Schools, in April 1996, at a cost of Rs.1263.375 million for the duration of 5-years. The project was revised in 1998 at a cost of Rs.11214.896 million with enhanced scope of 82000 Non Formal Basic Education Community Schools (1998-2003). On the approval of Planning Commission, the implementation period of the project was extended upto June 2006.

Later on, Ministry of Education submitted a new PC-I titled “Establishment & operation of Basic Education Community Schools in the country” to the P&D Division for approval of ECNEC. The ECNEC in its meeting held on 7 th March, 2007 has approved in principle, the project at a total cost of Rs.7000.000 million including BELA administration as recommended by the P&D Division. As to the actual execution of the project, the details will be workout in a meeting to be chaired by the Prime Minister, which will be attended by Federal Minister of Education and Provincial Ministers of Education of all the four provinces. At present over 10185 BEC schools are functioning throughout the country.

Objectives

To increase literacy rate and participation rate at primary level. The drop –outs and miss outs of age group 10-14 will also be covered in addition to age group of 4-9 years.

Scope

The project is designed for a period of 3 years (July, 2006 to June, 2009 at a cost of
Rs. 7000.000 million. It envisages to establish 10,000 BEC Schools for 4-9 years age group & 10,000 BEC schools for 10-14 years age group. It also includes conversion of 1500 BEC Schools of 4-9 years age group into regular BEC Schools. It is estimated that 1.52 million learners will benefit of primary level education. Free education with flexible timings is provided to poor people living below poverty line.

The BEC schools will in fact supplement & complement the government efforts to achieve UPE & literacy rate of 87 % by 2015. Pakistan is committed in international forum to achieve these targets.