KHAR: The World Food Programme on Monday launched a cash-based transfer programme (CBT) to help increase enrolment in girls schools in Bajaur Agency by providing monthly stipend to students.

The initiative was launched at a ceremony held the at the education department here attended by assistant political agent Anwarul Haq, agency education officer Amirullah Wazir and officials of WFP.

On the occasion, Altaf Hussain, a representative of WFP, highlighted the significance of the programme, adding the scheme was designed to increase enrolment in girls schools in far-flung areas of the agency.

He said the scheme had been launched with the support of a local non-government organisation, while 25 government girls schools had been selected for the programme.

The official said Rs1,000 would be given to each student from class 6th to 10th on 80 per cent attendance every month.

The WFP official said the scheme was aimed to encourage female students to continue their further education as most girls quit education after passing grade 5.

The official said a proper monitoring system had been adopted to ensure transparency in the programme, adding UNDP had been assigned to monitor the entire process.

CORRUPTION IN FATA: Speakers at a function the other day called for extending jurisdiction of National Accountability Bureau and other anti-corruption bodies to the Federally Administered Tribal Area to eliminate rampant corruption in government departments.

Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s local chapter organised the event at government postgraduate college in Khar.

The speakers highlighted the impact of corruption on society, adding the menace had increased in the government departments in the agency owing to absence of check.

They claimed that no official at the public departments was willing to serve the people without taking bribe, and urged the federal government to extend anti-corruption laws to the tribal areas.

The speakers said the function was aimed to raise awareness among people about the evil of corruption.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2017