Learning and Earning Towards a Bright Future
With Norwegian funding, UNICEF and the School Education Department, help children learn and acquire life-skills in Balochistan
For 16-year-old Yasmine, hailing from a remote community in Killa Saifullah, Balochistan, education and earning felt like distant dreams. As the eldest of seven siblings in a family supported by her father’s modest income as a bus driver, her future seemed limited. While she attended a nearby madrassa for religious studies, she carried an entrepreneurial spark waiting for an opportunity to be discovered.
The opportunity arrived when a team from the School Education Department (SED) visited her madrassa. Soon after an Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) center was established on the premises. Supported by UNICEF and the Education Department under the Balochistan Education Support Programme (BESP), and funded by Norway, the ALP center provides quality education to out-of-school children.
The madrassa began serving a dual purpose: religious education in the morning and regular schooling in the afternoon. Children who were already enrolled in the madrassa were encouraged to also join the ALP.
“I told my father about the opportunity for free education in the ALP and asked if I could enroll,” Yasmine recalled. “He agreed on the condition that my religious education should not disturbed,” she added.
Balancing both religious and regular education was difficult at first, but Yasmine persevered. She excelled academically, supported weaker students after class, and encouraged families in her community to enroll their daughters.
After nearly five years at ALP Barakzai, Yasmine passed her board exams and joined mainstream education in Grade 9 at the Government Girls High School, Killa Saifullah.
As part of BESP, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad, funded a three-year programme (2022–2025) to strengthen basic education and skill-building opportunities.
Many ALP centers established in Balochistan now also provide vocational training, including motorcycle repair, IT, beautician courses, poultry farming, arts and crafts, and dressmaking.
During her time at the ALP Barakzai centre, Yasmine joined a dressmaking course.
“From teaching how to cut and stitch to resources such as stitching machines, cloth and threads, everything was provided to us at the ALP centre. I was fascinated to learn this art,” said Yasmine.
What began as a hobby, soon revealed itself as a potential livelihood.
“Once I realized that by learning this skill, I can not only make clothes for myself and my family members but also sell them, my interest grew,” Yasmine adds.
Laila Sanaa is a well-qualified and trained instructor, contracted by the Balochistan Trade Testing Board, who teaches children dressmaking at the ALP centre Barakzai.
“Girls are very talented but need some guidance and skills development at the initial stage,” says Sanaa.
“They are motivated and want to progress in life by becoming entrepreneurs. Yasmine is a shining example for them.”
By the time she graduated from ALP, Yasmine’s confidence had soared. She moved to her uncle’s home in Killa Saifullah city to continue her studies and set up her own workshop. Her uncle’s shop, which sells unstitched cloth and tailoring materials, provided the perfect space for her business.
Within a year, Yasmine’s workshop flourished. She now earns a steady income, supports her family, and reinvests in her growing business.
Her proudest moment came when she participated in the Quetta Fest for Ladies’ Dresses, where she and other girls from Killa Saifullah showcased their creations. The response was overwhelming.
“Education is my passion. It has helped me set up my business. I will continue my studies to get a bachelor’s degree and then expand my business once my studies are complete,” says Yasmine beaming with confidence.
In Balochistan, support from the Government of Norway has enabled UNICEF, in partnership with the Education Department, to provide more than 1,800 children with a second chance at education through 51 ALP centres, with girls making up around 45 per cent of enrollment. Among these are 11 middle-level ALPs, students like Yasmine gained practical, life-changing skills in tailoring, motorcycle repair, and information technology.
The support of the Government of Norway and other international donors has been instrumental in opening doors to education and vocational training, paving the way from learning to earning and helping to build a brighter future for children like Yasmine.
