Support to the Time-Bound Programme on Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Pakistan

In this reporting period, the project entered its last quarter and the activities are in accordance with the annual workplan. However the project is now extended till December 2007 with the additional allocation of approximately US$683,079. The total budget now stands at US$1,334,602. Currently, the project management is preparing project revision documents for the upcoming extension. The project implementing partners will remain the same. At the moment, 15 rehabilitations centres (RCs) are functional with around 1,378 (681 girls and 697 boys) children enrolled, who are provided with rehabilitation services through counselling and non-formal education in District Swat and Dir (progressive withdrawal strategy). Around 165 (90 girls and 75 boys) former working children have been mainstreamed into formal schools (complete withdrawal strategy). To ensure quality education in project non-formal education centres, a teachers training programme along with assessment and supervision plans has been developed and implemented. These specially designed training programmes focused on effective teaching methodologies, need-based curriculum and an effective assessment plan to monitor the learning process of the targeted beneficiaries. The project trained some 65 teachers (28 female and 37 male) in two batches. Similarly, for effective management of the non-formal education component of the project, 11 RC management committees (6 female and 5 male) have been developed to involve communities in planning, monitoring and supervising RC activities. These committees will take over the management of these non-formal centres in a phased manner. The capacity of these committees is being developed in a phased manner so that they are able to manage and sustain the NFE programme after the project withdraws. Under a skills training programme, 506 children (283 girls and 223 boys) are receiving skills training in the auto electrician, domestic wiring, tailoring and plumbing trades. Of these 506 children, 367 (238 girls and 129 boys) are receiving pre-vocational training and 139 children (45 girls and 94 boys) vocational training along with basic business skills. As a top priority, Pakistan’s cadre of primary and middle school teachers ought to be strengthened. In any country, children need teachers who are qualified and motivated, who come to work regularly, and who teach effectively, which improves the quality of learning and will encourage enrolment and retention of pupils. For use in the teachers training programme and targeting formal school teachers, the project has standardized the "Child Labour – An Information Kit" for teachers, and has developed a data-collection plan to assess the impact of the training. Up till now 1,443 teachers (729 female and 714 male) have been trained on the use of the kit. To raise awareness amongst the policy-makers, law enforcement agencies, trade unions, associations, employers’ organizations and the community in general and the parents in particular, regarding the negative impact of child labour on their children’s physical and mental development, the Training Manual on Child Labour – Awareness on National and International Laws, designed under the SDC project, has been reviewed and adapted to the needs of the target group. 285 participants (83 female and 202 male) including employers, workers and trade union members have been trained on the manual. The Training Manual on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) designed under SDC project has also been reviewed and adapted to the needs of the target group. 279 participants including employers, workers and trade union members, have been trained on the manual.

Project symbol

PAK/04/01/DAN

Admin unit

CO-Islamabad

Start date

01/06/2004

End date

30/04/2008

Total allocation

1155706

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

1155706

Development Partners

Denmark, Danish International Development Agency

Country/Countries

Pakistan

Outcomes

Increase constituent and development partner capacity to develop or implement policies or measures focused on reducing child labour