Investment in education is an investment in Pakistan's future

Under the Rehabilitating Infrastructure for Supporting Education Project (RISE), Islamic Relief Pakistan with the support from Islamic Relief UK has constructed 15 worst flood-hit schools in district Muzaffargarh, Punjab. Islamic Relief is working in flood-hit areas of the country with an integrated village rehabilitation programme and besides provision of shelters and livelihood interventions investing on the education system of the country to get education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Islamic Relief believes that education is the next currency and it is essential all children get free education.

So far Islamic Relief has constructed 15 boys and girls schools in flood-hit district Muzaffargarh, Punjab and worked on revitalization of walls, installed water pumps, hand pumps, filtration plants, constructed solid waste collection, arranged teachers training, distributed school items, stationery, school bags, playing kits and renovation of play grounds were carried out. In collaboration with the government and school committees, Islamic Relief has ensured that children are engaged in both the curricular and extracurricular activities.

Head of Humanitarian Programme Umair Hasan said it is estimated that around 20 million children in Pakistan are not in schools and education system is not so good, condition in disasters affected areas is worst. We need to ensure free and quality education for all children; especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged need to be prioritized because the social and economic development of Pakistan depends on the success of its education. We at Islamic Relief are investing in the children and their education through our emergency and long-term development programmes to get positive socio-economic impacts.

In his statement Country Director Islamic Relief Pakistan Dr. Fayaz Ahmad said it is also necessary to stop dropout ratio in the schools and we are encouraging parents and communities to ensure that all children of their area are enrolled in the local school. A special focus is being placed on enrolling girls, he said.

The right of children to receive an education is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Pakistan is a signatory to it. It is therefore vital that all children in Pakistan, both boys and girls, have equal opportunity to attend school in which to continue their education or in some cases commence their education.