The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formally launched the School Enrolment Campaign 2026–27 aimed at bringing more children into schools, mainstreaming out-of-school children, and reducing dropout rates across the province.
The campaign was inaugurated by Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Arshad Ayub Khan and Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah here on Thursday. The initiative focuses on fresh enrolments, reintegrating children who are currently out of school, and improving retention at both primary and secondary levels.
For the academic year 2026–27, the government has set a target to enrol 1,328,620 children, including 684,363 boys and 644,259 girls. In addition, 643,715 out-of-school children will be brought back into the education system, including 261,435 boys and 382,280 girls.
The provincial government has also set targets to reduce dropout rates, aiming to bring the primary level dropout rate down from 7 percent to 5 percent, while at the secondary level it will be reduced from 8 percent to 6 percent.
To achieve these targets, 65 percent of enrolments will be made through government schools, 30 percent through private schools, and 5 percent through Accelerated Learning Programs and Non-Formal Education initiatives. A digital dashboard has also been established to monitor the progress of the enrolment campaign on a daily basis.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister Arshad Ayub Khan said the government is committed to ensuring access to quality education for every child in the province. He emphasized that special attention will be given to promoting girls’ education.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah directed Deputy Commissioners to closely monitor the enrolment campaign at the district level and ensure active public participation to achieve the set targets.
Prior to the launch of the campaign, a review meeting on enrolment targets was also held. Officials from the Education Department, Local Government Department, and UNICEF attended the meeting. Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education Khalid Khan briefed the participants and informed them that a special survey will be conducted to obtain accurate data on out-of-school children.