September 3, 2003	Wednesday	Rajab 5, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: USAID has launched Whole District Initiative (WDI) to make district-level education system fully functional with a view to ensuring 90 per cent enrolment of children.

This was stated by the chief of party, Education Sector Reforms Assistance Programme of USAID, Dr Brian J. Spicer, while talking to Dawn here on Tuesday.

The chief of party said USAID had developed the concept of the WDI keeping in view the Education Sector Reforms (ESR) of the Pakistan government.

“ The WDI takes on the challenge of putting in place the required institutional arrangements and processes which guarantee 90 per cent net enrolment, over 90 per cent completion, minimum repetition and parity in education provision and achievement for girls and boys, and attainment of internationally-acceptable level of efficiency,” he added.

He said the districts where the initiate would be launched were expected to represent a new pinnacle of achievement. These districts also can serve as a beacon for others as they tread the development path, catalyzing future and far-reaching reforms and initiatives and offering opportunities for donors to engage in support work in the education sector, he added.

Mr Spicer said under the WDI process, different districts would be assisted in developing, implementing and monitoring education policies. It will also ensure that all children benefit from access to and participation in a quality education system. The initiative will also held in eliminating illiteracy, he added.

The project will focus on improving opportunities for special children within formal school system.

Overcoming the barriers of local and household poverty, including those posed by poor health and nutrition will also be given due attention, the USAID official said.

The WDI will also encourage and facilitate the transition from primary to secondary schooling and from school to work through integration of work skills into the curriculum, he added.

Answering a question, he said the Whole District Initiative would respond fully

to the government’s devolution strategy while paying equal attention to the quality of education, providing all young people with opportunities to learn.

“At the same time, the Whole District Initiative will undertake efforts to ensure that all young adults between the ages of 15 and 25 are literate within three years.”

Initially, the initiative has been launched in four districts of Sindh —Sukkur, Khairpur, Hyderabad, Thatta — and three of Balochistan — Qila Saifullah, Turbat and Gwadar.

These districts have been selected after a close study of educational data to determine those that suffer most from educational disadvantage.

The implementation of the Whole District Initiative at district level will be undertaken mainly by the relevant governments and local NGOs, supported by the USAID-funded national consultants and organizations.