Effectiveness of Non-Formal Schools for Provision of Primary Education to Out of School Children

Author(s) : Rohina Gull and Muhammad Sarwar

Abstract:

The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Non-Formal Schools (NFS) established, for provision of primary education to out of school children of disempowered and neglected segment of Punjab, Pakistan, under Punjab Non-formal Education Project of Literacy and Non-formal Basic Education (L&NFBE) Department, Government of the Punjab. Data of enrolled students was collected from the web portal of the department. It revealed that the project envisioned establishing 990 NFBE Schools. The 100% target regarding establishment of schools were achieved and 33625 children were enrolled, as the target of enrolment was 19800 students. The enrollment was 61% more than the actual target. All fifth grade 373 students were selected as sample of the study through multistage sampling technique. The researcher developed an achievement test comprising of Urdu, English, Mathematics and Science subjects to assess achievement of students. The researcher personally administered the test to the students and marked it. Analysis of achievement scores showed that 61% students achieved more than 33% marks in the test. It was found that achievement mean score of male students was better as compared to female students. The achievement mean score of urban and rural students was almost same. Hence, it was concluded that the Non-Formal Schools were effective for provision of primary education to out of school children of disempowered and neglected segment of the society.

Key Words: Non Formal Basic Education Schools, disempowered / Neglected Segment of the society, literacy & numeracy skills