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
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