PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has inaugurated the “ILMpact” Programme, a comprehensive initiative designed to enroll out-of-school children and enhance the quality of education across the province.
The programme, launched in partnership with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by the British Council, was officially introduced by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur during a ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House, Peshawar.
The event was attended by Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Faisal Khan Tarakai, British Council Country Director James Hampson, senior officials, and representatives from collaborating organizations.
Targeting eight districts—Battagram, Mansehra, Swabi, Buner, Shangla, Khyber, Mohmand, and Dera Ismail Khan—the ILMpact Programme aims to bring 80,000 out-of-school children into the educational fold. The initiative emphasizes enhancing educational standards while focusing on girls, underprivileged children, special needs students, and minority communities.
The programme includes training master trainers for modern pedagogical practices, strengthening Parent-Teacher Councils and School Management Committees, and running community awareness campaigns with a special focus on promoting girls’ education.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Gandapur appreciated the support of partner organizations, stressing that his government’s vision goes beyond access to education and focuses on quality learning environments. “We are committed to ensuring that every child in a government school has basic facilities like chairs and desks. Funds have been allocated to eliminate these gaps this year,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Chief Minister disclosed that over the past year, 1.3 million out-of-school children have been enrolled, with an additional one million enrollment target set for the current academic year. Plans are also underway to distribute free textbooks, stationery, and school bags to government school students, while efforts are being made to upgrade teaching standards through comprehensive teacher training programmes.
The recruitment of 18,000 new teachers on merit is also in progress, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving the province’s educational infrastructure and human resources.
