Understanding the Societal Impact of Government Programs on Public School Enrollment in District Karak

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of a Government Initiative on primary school enrollment in District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Stratified-random sampling assessed how the initiative affected public school enrolment for boys and girls. The data for this study came from Students Enrollment Proforma (SEP) and structured interviews with school administrators from a random sample of 12 principals (6 boys and 6 girls, representing the full gender distribution of the schools involved in the study). The findings indicated that providing complimentary textbooks significantly increased attendance for male and female students in the first and fifth grades. School administrators observed a positive effect on students’ enrollment and enhanced engagement in the educational process. The study recommends continuing the provision of complimentary textbooks and expanding the initiative to include free uniforms, notebooks, and stipends for students. Additionally, conducting similar studies at the provincial level is suggested to assess the overall impact of these incentives.