MOHMAND: The education department has launched enrolment campaign in Mohmand and set a target of bringing 22,000 out-of-school children to classrooms in the district.

The campaign, titled “Every Child in School”, was launched at Government Higher Secondary School Ghalanai here on Monday.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the campaign, the district education officer, Midrarullah Khan, the additional deputy commissioner, Iftikharuddin, the deputy district education officer, Fida Mohammad and PTI leader Jehanzeb Khan said that children in Mohmand had talent, but they required equal access to quality education to realise their abilities.

They said that around 52 per cent of children in the district were out of school and Mohmand’s literacy rate stood at 31.28 per cent while the ratio among girls was 15.1 per cent.

The district education officer said that the enrolment target included 10,800 boys, with around 6,100 children already enrolled. The department would intensify efforts in September to bring the remaining children to schools, he added.

The district education officer also expressed concern over the high dropout rate after primary education and urged parents to ensure that their children remained in school and completed their education.

The additional deputy commissioner, Iftikharuddin, said that the large number of out-of-school children was a serious concern that required a coordinated response.

He called upon parents, ulema, tribal elders, community leaders and the media to support the campaign and help identify and enrol out-of-school children.

He said that education was essential for social and economic development of any society. He said that ensuring access to education was a collective responsibility of all segments of society.

Other speakers including Fida Mohammad and Jahanzeb Khan highlighted the potential of Mohmand’s children and stressed the need for better educational opportunities, guidance and support.

The ceremony was attended by the principal of the school, Alamzeb, SDEO Abdul Sattar Khan, representatives of MNA Sajid Khan Mohmand Liaqat Ali, teachers and students.

The campaign was formally launched through the enrolment of children at the school while sports kits were also distributed among students.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026