Islamabad, March 29, 2026: The federal capital has witnessed a major breakthrough in efforts to expand access to education, as the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training begins to see tangible results from its “Carpet Coverage” campaign under the “No Child Left Behind” initiative.
Following several days of intensive field operations across multiple union councils, authorities have identified 3,646 out-of-school children (OOSC). The data, compiled through the Non-Formal Education Management Information System (NFEMIS), reflects a nearly balanced gender distribution, with 1,862 boys (51%) and 1,784 girls (49%) currently listed as identified but not yet enrolled.
The identification drive has been carried out through a collaborative effort involving several organizations. The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) led the effort, identifying 2,877 children, followed by JJT with 433 cases, the National Education Foundation (NEF) with 157, and BECS with 85. Additional contributions came from NGOs such as Muslim Hands and Sunbeams, identifying 78 and 37 children, respectively.
Officials said these figures establish a baseline for targeted interventions aimed at bringing children into both formal and non-formal education systems.
Federal Education Secretary Nadeem Mahbub described the development as a key milestone in a broader three-year rolling plan, which aims to enroll 25,000 out-of-school children in its first phase.
The strategy prioritizes enrollment in government schools run by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). However, in areas lacking public school infrastructure, the ministry plans to expand access through community schools in partnership with non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
Officials reiterated that the initiative is designed to ensure that no child in the federal capital is deprived of education due to limited access or resources.
