KARACHI, Feb 25: The Sindh government saw an increase of about 0.1 million in primary class enrolments in the towns/talukas selected for implementation of the compulsory primary education ordinance during the last eight months.

Under the ordinance, the government, in the first phase effective from April 1, had selected five towns and 18 talukas for the implementation of the primary education ordinance, where parents or guardians and employers were required to ensure that all their children in the age group of 5 to 11 years were admitted to schools.

According to an official document, an increase of 100,879 was recorded in the schools in 23 towns and talukas of the province. On May 31, 2002, the overall primary class enrolment in the towns and talukas stood at 585,430, including 161,749 of girls.

On Jan 31, 2003, the enrolment was found at 686,309, including 189,661 that of girl students. A total increase of 729,45 in the number of boys and 279,12 in the girls’ strength was recorded from May 2002 to Jan 2003.

There has been an overall increase of 17.23 per cent in the primary enrolment in the province. In the case of boys’ enrolment, the increase is 17.21 per cent, while that for girls it is 17.25 per cent.

In Mirpur Mathelo, a significant and maximum increase of 129,30 boy students was observed on Jan 31, but on the other hand there was a negative indication in the case of girl students. Against an initial enrolment of 2025, the figure reduced to 1978, as there was a drop-out of 47 girls, instead of any increase.

The lowest increase of 455 students, including 166 girls, was recorded in Lyari Town. The increase in enrolment in other towns of Karachi — Gulberg, Shah Faisal, Orangi and Gadap — was recorded as 469, 1114, 1293 and 3972, respectively. The lowest increase in girls’ enrolment (143) was recorded in Gulberg Town’s primary schools.

A maximum increase of 4075 girls’ enrolment was reported from Jacobabad, followed by Nagarparkar (Mithi) 3591, Khairpur 3152, and Rohri (Sukkur) 2713 students.

According to the Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education, the town/taluka-wise breakdown of last enrolment, along with increase on Jan 31, is as follows:

Jacobabad - 43350 (10235), Khairpur - 45801 (7112), Dadu - 58591 (8196), Sakrand (Nawabshah) - 34920 (3435), Naushahro Feroze - 36658 (9131), Nagarparkar - 22720 (7828), Rohri - 26727 (6201), Sajawal - 26165 (7868), Lakhi (Shikarpur) - 21759 (772), Lyari - 24680 (455), Shah Faisal - 12651 (1114), Gulberg - 16409(469), Orangi - 22556 (1293), Gadap - 16775 (3972), Mirpurkhas - 51096 (2119), Tando Adam - 23310 (2413), Matli (Badin) - 31965 (4871), Rato Dero - 34154 (1988), Mirpur Mathelo - 21947 (12883), Hala (Hyderabad) - 33157(2051), Hyderabad Taluka - 32539 (2164), Qasimabad (Hyderabad) - 10600 (1108) and Hyderabad city - 35779 (3179).

Under the compulsory primary education ordinance, which is being implemented in phases, the government is also in a position to impose fines on parents who fail to get their wards admitted to primary schools. The government has also introduced a package for primary education, including free distribution of books among the students from I to V classes and waiving of compulsory requirements of uniform for primary classes.