Since 2013, the BISP sponsored Benazir Taleemi Wazifa (BTW) program has assisted over 9 million underprivileged children pursue schooling goals through financial aid. But how do the actual student and parent beneficiaries perceive the on-ground effectiveness for enhancing access?
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This article compiles candid qualitative reviews from program participants across Pakistan on BTW’s utility spanning fee relief, attendance improvement and motivation levels. Their verbatim testimonials offer crucial insights.
Student Review Highlights
Safeguarding Continuity
Zoya, Class 7, Karachi
“My father’s accident last year jeopardized my studying further since income stopped and medical costs grew. The BTW stipend supports essential textbooks and transport needs which helped me continue without dropping year.”
Enhancing Affordability
Jamil, Class 9, Hyderabad
“Being the sole breadwinner for family of five, Abba could never afford three full meals for us, let alone my school expenses. The quarterly money has eased our struggles by funding stationery and some household items.”
Building Aspirations
Meera, Class 8, Bahawalpur
“I lost hope of ever becoming a school teacher seeing our deprivations. But BTW assistance inspired me to dream again and ignite my mother’s faith too of supporting my ambitions.”
Overcoming Access Barriers
Fatima, Class 10, Gilgit
“The monthly fuel costs for 6 hours campus commutes earlier seemed an impossible ask for family. Today the travel stipend grant lets me fulfil my wish to be the first female graduate from village.”
Thus for recipients, tangible enablement in various forms catalyzes believe towards a transformed future.
Parent Review Highlights
Financial Aid Directivity
Salma, Mother from Rawalpindi
“What I cherish most is money coming directly into my account rather than cash handed privately avoiding dignity concerns. School admission formalities also get simpler now availing BTW identity.”
Rising Community Awareness
Zahoor, Father from Chakwal
“BTW orientation has awakened village folks to benefits of educating girls. Earlier,withdrawals post puberty was common. Today my daughter Zeba excitedly aims for college against all norms.”
Easing Income Tradeoffs
Noor, Mother from Jhang “Stipend covers after school tuitions for my three kids which I could never independently afford by sewing part time. It has ended my daily torment of choosing between food or studies for them.”
Enhancing Retention Prospects
Waseem, Father from Swat “Constant attendance fears and monsoon season earnings needs forced my kids to skip school for months earlier. BTW security promise now incentives neighbors too to sustain our children’s education over income.”
Thereby, assurances created steer mindsets positively by supporting continuality.
The Way Forward
Lakhs of untold stories script quiet revolutions through BTW schools, one child at a time. With enrollment extending uptill higher secondary grades for existing beneficiaries, the stage seems set to bridge historical inequities at scale. Perhaps no gift empowers more than that of knowledge.
Nauman is an education policy analyst associated with BISP as senior program consultant for the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif conditional cash transfer initiative. He heads portfolio management for the program including planning, budgeting and performance monitoring. Nauman has over 10 years experience in the social impact space. He completed his MPhil in Economics from Government College University Lahore, focusing his research on financial inclusion for literacy and skills development.