Policies

Room to Read Pakistan Project

Context and Issue

According to UNICEF, Pakistan currently has the 2nd highest number of out-of-school children. Almost 23 million children aged 5-16 in the country do not attend school, which makes up 44% of the population in this particular demographic. To make things worse, there are disparities based on gender, geography, and income levels). The kids who do go to school do not receive quality education. Most students drop out by age 9, and only 3% graduate from Grade 12. Parents do not trust the public education system; if they can afford it, they transfer their kids to private schools, furthering the economic disparity.

Solution

Room to Read, an NGO established in 2000, came in and introduced a literacy program in Pakistan in collaboration with local organizations such as Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA). The program established libraries in 20 public schools in Punjab, adapted 28 Room to Read storybooks to Urdu, and 25 into Sindhi. Additionally, the program holds regular training sessions for teachers, principals, and librarians. It also participated in community engagement to help develop reading habits at home and reinforced the use of library time in the school calendar. Additionally, library periods were created, and book collections for schools were made after a thorough investigation. The program looks to expand as it aims to hold a series of author and illustrator workshops so more storybooks in the country are introduced in the local language.

Impact

The Room to Read program has had a profound impact on children across Pakistan. The creation and distribution of 28 storybooks in Urdu to 2,000 libraries nationwide have directly benefited over 33,000 children. The training of numerous teachers has not only made the program sustainable but also fostered a sense of community. The program's future plans, such as assisting refugees, creating read-aloud videos, and increasing the number of Urdu books in libraries, further demonstrate its commitment to improving literacy in Pakistan.

Analysis

The program led by Room to Read contributed to creating an ecosystem of reading books among children in Pakistan. It focused on collaborating with local organizations, which allowed it to accelerate its program and make it more inclusive. Additionally, the Literacy program showcases that by identifying gaps in the market, collaborating with locals, and providing expertise and assistance, education can be advanced, no matter the obstacle. It also underscores the value of literacy and how essential it is to accelerate it among children.