Women are helping to bring middle-level education to their village
In Khari Qila, a small village in the outskirts of Peshawar, women transformed a shared concern into a practical solution for girls' education.
For many girls in Khari Qila, continuing education beyond primary school was a challenge. The absence of a local middle school and limited transportation options meant that families often faced difficult choices about their daughters' education.
The situation was not unique. Across many communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, distance and accessibility remain barriers to girls' continued learning. In Khari Qila, however, women in the community decided that the challenge required action.
A Concern Shared by the Community
The issue emerged during discussions involving parents, teachers and community members at Government Girls Primary School Khari Qila, Peshawar. As the Parent Teacher Council (PTC) became more actively engaged in school planning and community dialogue, one concern surfaced repeatedly: girls needed access to middle-level education closer to home.
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Education and Health Services (EHS) project implemented by GIZ Pakistan supported the PTC to strengthen its role in school governance, community participation and school improvement planning. This enabled members to engage more actively in discussions affecting education within their community.
For the women involved in the council, the challenge was clear. Girls needed a pathway to continue their education without leaving their village.
Turning Participation into Action
Recognising the importance of the issue, female members of the Parent Teacher Council worked collectively to advocate for a local solution. They engaged with district education authorities and highlighted the need for middle-level classes within the village. Their efforts focused on ensuring that girls could continue their education without facing unnecessary barriers related to distance and accessibility.
The process required persistence, coordination and continuous engagement. More importantly, it demonstrated how community participation can move beyond identifying challenges to actively contributing to solutions. What began as a discussion among community members gradually evolved into a coordinated effort to improve educational opportunities for girls.
Creating New Opportunities for Girls
The advocacy efforts resulted in the approval of middle-level classes in the school's second shift. The decision created new opportunities for girls to continue their education within their community and reduced a key barrier affecting their transition to the next stage of learning.
Before the summer break this year, Government Girls Primary School Khari Qila enrolled 251 girls, reflecting the importance of accessible educational opportunities for families in the area. The establishment of middle-level classes represented more than an administrative decision. It demonstrated how local participation can contribute to practical improvements that respond directly to community needs.
Lessons in Women's Leadership
The experience from Khari Qila highlights the important role women can play in shaping decisions that affect their communities. By identifying a shared challenge, building consensus and engaging with decision-makers, female members of the Parent Teacher Council helped create better educational opportunities for girls in their village.
Their experience also demonstrates the value of strengthening community structures and creating spaces where local voices can contribute to decision-making processes.
For the girls of Khari Qila, the outcome was greater access to education. For the wider community, it was a reminder that meaningful change often begins when people come together to advocate for solutions that matter to them.
About the project
The project 'Education and Health Services (EHS)' is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and is implemented by GIZ Pakistan. The project supports the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in improving access to quality education and health services and promotes inclusive participation, local ownership and strengthened community structures to improve service delivery and create opportunities for vulnerable communities.