Female School Stipend Programs in Pakistan: A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Region

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the success of a stipend program in girls’ schools launched by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government about three years ago. The program aims to increase the female enrolment and reduce gender parity in education.  A mix methodology employed. Study show that program did not put any impact on girls’ enrolment Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. Instead different other observations affecting the enrolment ratio were noted.  To further explore the other factors causing no increase in girls’ enrolment and to test the results of the study, a primary study was done using qualitative method. Grounded theory was built and tested. Both the deductive and in-deductive approaches have been used to strengthen the study. Results of the study interestingly show that, it is not the money but culture which is the real hurdle in increase in enrolment ratio. Most of the parents do not allow girls to go to school due to cultural barriers. Awareness campaigns need to be designed for the parents.

Keywords: Enrolment, Government Schools, Gender, Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLMS), Logistic Regression, Pakistan.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-9-03

Publication date:May 31^st 2020