Report: Adnan Khan
In the far-off village of Rajan Shah, near Usta Muhammad, many children had never been to school. With no primary school nearby, these children stayed at home or worked to support their families. They were out of school, with little hope for an education or a brighter future.
But everything changed when the community requested help in establishing an educational facility. UNICEF, with support from the European Union, responded to this call. An Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) Center named “ALP Rajan Shah” was established in the village. This special program is designed to help out-of-school children catch up on their education and rejoin the formal system.
Once the ALP Center became functional, students were provided with reading and writing materials. A Parent-Teacher School Management Committee (PTSMC) and a Champions Club were formed and trained to support the center’s development. The children progressed through ALP Packages A, B, and C, and successfully passed their exams conducted by the Balochistan Assessment and Examination Commission (BAEC). In just three years, they completed the equivalent of five years of primary education.
The ALP tutor, along with the students and their fathers, visited GBHS Rustam Khan Jamali, the nearest high school. 30 children were admitted to the school. Today, they sit side by side with regular students, learning in the same classrooms.
For these children, who were once left behind, this is a remarkable achievement. Their parents were overjoyed. One father shared, “We thought our children had lost their chance. But today, they are students again, thanks to UNICEF’s ALP program.”
This success story highlights the powerful and transformative impact of the Accelerated Learning Program. It not only helped children recover their lost learning years but also gave them a second chance to join formal education and build a better future.
