Civil society demands Rs3,000 stipend, expansion of Zewar-e-Taleem programme

LAHORE – Civil society stakeholders have called for increasing the monthly stipend under the Zewar-e-Taleem Programme (ZTP) from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 and expanding its coverage beyond the current 17 districts to strengthen girls’ secondary education across Punjab. The demand was made during an advocacy forum titled “Strengthening Zewar-e-Taleem Program for Girls’ Secondary Education” organised by Awaz CDS-Pakistan at a local hotel in Lahore. The event brought together parliamentarians, education officials, civil society representatives, and girls’ education advocates to review the programme’s impact and future direction. A presentation shared at the forum highlighted significant improvements linked to ZTP, including an 18 percent increase in girls’ enrolment, a 17 percent improvement in transition from Grade 5 to 6, and a 41 percent higher attendance rate in ZTP-covered schools compared to non-registered institutions. The findings also pointed to gains in learning outcomes, confidence levels, and school completion rates, along with broader social impacts such as delayed marriages and improved employment aspirations among girls. Speakers stressed that while the programme has produced measurable progress, the current stipend has lost value due to inflation and requires immediate revision. They argued that increasing financial support would help ensure that girls from low-income households can continue their education without economic pressure. Participants also recommended expanding the programme to additional underprivileged districts where female literacy remains low. They noted that several operational challenges persist, including delays in payments, data correction issues, weak grievance mechanisms, and limited institutional coordination. Despite these concerns, parents, students, and school officials expressed strong support for the initiative, citing improved attitudes toward girls’ education and reduced dropout risks. The forum concluded with a call for