The School Councils’ Programme (SCP) was part of the Punjab Education Sector Reforms Programme (PESRP) and funded by the Government of Punjab. The project pilot was initiated in February 2005 for a period of 3 years and launched in two districts (Faisalabad and Gujarat) of the Punjab at a cost of Rs. 83.33 million. The project focused on community participation and centred on capacity building of the School Councils (SCs). The implementation of the project entailed the establishment and capacity building of SCs at 750 schools belonging to both districts. It strengthened the capacity of the SCs by providing trainings in school budgeting, planning and school teachers’ monitoring and decision-making. The main objectives of the project included the following; a) ensure that SCs make every effort to enhance awareness and understanding among parents regarding the importance of their role in the provision of quality education, b) create awareness about the optimal use of educational facilities being offered by the Provincial Government and avail expertise of the community members in this regard, c) help devise ways and means to decrease dropout ratio and teachers absenteeism in the schools, d) develop a congenial and harmonious relationship between parents and teachers while avoiding bureaucratic rigidity on both sides and e) mobilize community resources for the improvement of the schools and for the benefit of the students. The expected outcomes included a) strengthening education governance, b) increasing the quality of education services, c) improving equity and access to education, d) ensuring a 5% increase in primary class enrolments in the first year and 10% in subsequent years and a 20% decrease in dropout per year, e) increasing the completion rate in the primary cycle by 10% per annum, f) improving the quality of education through teachers’ training, g) ensuring provision of teaching guides and teaching material and f) reducing teachers’ absenteeism by 20%. Cumulative figures of enrolment during the project period show that a total of 94,668 (male 53% and female 47%) were enrolled in government schools within the project area. A total of 7,603 SC members (male 55% and female 45%) received training through workshops and refresher courses arranged by PRSP. In addition, refresher courses were arranged in all 750 schools for all SC members. Teaching kits were also provided to all 750 schools; going much beyond the original agreement. After the successful completion of this pilot project, PRSP proceeded to implement this project in 19 districts of Punjab (Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Jhang, Kasur, Khanewal, Lahore, Layyah, M.B.Din, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot) for a period of three years with the cost of Rs. 342.522 million. Performance as of December 2011:
Phase 1:
• 100% School Councils (SCs) have been constituted in all 9,925 schools.
• Number of SCs notified as per 2007 policy amended in 2008 are 9,853 (99% of target). • One event has been held to train 44 Master Trainers.
• 20 ToT events have been held to train 400 Trainers at 20 districts.
• 7 phases of trainings of SC members have been completed at each district. 32,416 SC members (96%) have been trained against target of 33,795.
• 9,698 (98%) Head Teachers have been trained out of 9,925. Phase II
• 100% School Councils (SCs) have been constituted in all 11,212 schools.
• One event has been held to train 44 Master Trainers.
• 22 ToT events have been held to train 440 Trainers at 20 districts
• 84,090 SC members have been trained.
• 11,212 Head Teachers have been trained. Phase III
• 100% School Councils have been constituted in all 4560 Schools.
• 4560 Head Teachers have been trained