Benazir Taleemi Wazaif New Eligibility Criteria for Students
The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program is a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative by the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for children from low-income families. The program provides financial incentives to encourage school enrollment and retention among the children of BISP’s active Kafalat beneficiaries. Since its expansion in July 2020, it has become a nationwide initiative supporting students up to the higher secondary level.
Objectives of the Program
The primary goals of the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program are:
- Awareness: Raise long-term awareness about the importance of education among beneficiary families.
- Enrollment: Increase the number of children enrolled in primary, secondary, and higher secondary education.
- Attendance: Improve school attendance rates.
- Dropout Reduction: Reduce the dropout rates in schools.
Key Stakeholders
The successful implementation of the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program involves several key stakeholders:
- BISP (Benazir Income Support Programme)
- Provincial Education Departments
- Schools
- Donors
Program Background
The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program was first piloted in November 2012 across five districts. By 2015, the program had expanded to thirty-two districts, and by 2018, it covered fifty districts. In January 2020, it was extended to one hundred districts, and by July 2020, it reached all districts across Pakistan.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program, children must meet the following criteria:
- Beneficiary Status: Children of active BISP Kafalat beneficiaries.
- Age Criteria:
- Primary Education: 4-12 years
- Secondary Education: 8-18 years
- Higher Secondary Education: 13-22 years
Enrollment Process
The enrollment process involves several key steps:
- Admission: Eligible children must be admitted to a school or college.
- Documentation: Parents must visit enrollment camps or field offices with the following documents:
- CNIC of the beneficiary
- B-form/CRC issued by NADRA
- School/College admission slip, verified by the institution
Co-Responsibilities
To qualify for cash transfers, beneficiaries must adhere to the following co-responsibilities:
- Admission: Ensure the child is enrolled in school or college.
- Attendance: Maintain at least 70% attendance each quarter.
Stipend Details
The program offers stipends based on education level and gender:
| Education Level | Per Boy/Quarter (Rs.) | Per Girl/Quarter (Rs.) |
| Primary Level | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Secondary Level | 2,500 | 3,000 |
| Higher Secondary | 3,500 | 4,000 |
Graduation Bonus: A one-time bonus of Rs. 3,000 is awarded to girls who complete primary education.
Enrollment and Disbursement Statistics
Since its inception, the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program has made significant strides:
- Total Enrollments: 12.01 million children
- Primary Level: 9,306,324
- Secondary Level: 2,406,859
- Higher Secondary Level: 297,661
- Total Disbursements: Rs. 63.34 billion
Financial Year Breakdown of Disbursements
| Financial Year | Number of Children Paid | Amount Disbursed (PKR) |
| 2013-14 | 32,983 | 84,114,000 |
| 2014-15 | 670,106 | 472,888,200 |
| 2015-16 | 1,201,099 | 1,858,420,800 |
| 2016-17 | 1,266,978 | 2,275,221,750 |
| 2017-18 | 1,609,115 | 3,304,563,150 |
| 2018-19 | 2,469,071 | 4,012,074,000 |
| 2019-20 | 1,313,281 | 3,707,712,500 |
| 2020-21 | 1,237,384 | 3,665,298,500 |
| 2021-22 | 5,183,187 | 20,482,684,500 |
| 2022-23 | 5,687,870 | 23,478,686,000 |
Key Processes
- Micro Supply Capacity Assessment (MSCA): BISP assesses the capacity of public and private schools to accommodate new students before starting the registration process.
- Social Mobilization: BISP’s field teams create awareness about the program and encourage beneficiaries to enroll their children. They also work to resolve issues that may affect compliance.
- Registration and Enrollment: Potential beneficiaries are invited to registration centers. Successful registration ensures that families and their children are added to the program.
- Admission and Attendance Compliance: To receive cash benefits, children must meet admission and attendance criteria. Non-compliance may result in suspension from the program.
- Case Management: BISP field offices handle complaints and issues to improve program implementation and beneficiary satisfaction.
Conclusion
The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program represents a significant effort by the BISP to support educational attainment among low-income families in Pakistan. By offering financial incentives for school enrollment and attendance, the program aims to boost educational outcomes and reduce dropout rates. Its comprehensive approach, involving multiple stakeholders and a clear set of responsibilities, underscores its commitment to improving the educational landscape for children across the country.
