BISP and Education: How it helps girls stay in School

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is not just about helping poor families with money—it also plays an important role in children’s education. While the program includes an option called Taleemi Wazaif (education stipends), many families only receive the basic cash support.

This raises an important question:
Does the regular BISP cash help children go to school, even without education-specific payments? And does it benefit girls more than boys?

What Is BISP?

BISP provides financial assistance to low-income households in Pakistan. Mothers usually receive cash every three months to cover daily needs like food, clothes, and bills. This money is called an unconditional cash transfer because families get it without any conditions, like sending kids to school.

Later, the government added Taleemi Wazaif, which gives extra money for children’s education—but only if they attend school regularly. This is known as a conditional cash transfer.

But even without Taleemi Wazaif, the basic BISP support can still make a difference.

How Does Cash Help With Schooling?

For poor families, school expenses like uniforms, books, and transport often stop children from going to school. With BISP cash:

• Parents are better able to afford these small but important costs.

• Families are less likely to send children to work.

• Children, especially girls, get more chances to stay in school.

Even though BISP wasn’t designed specifically for education, it reduces financial stress, making it easier for parents to prioritize their children’s learning.

Why Girls Benefit the Most

In many areas, girls are the first to drop out of school due to safety concerns, cultural norms, or household responsibilities. But when mothers receive BISP cash directly, they often spend it on their daughters’ education.

This support gives girls a better chance to continue their studies, even if families aren’t enrolled in Taleemi Wazaif.

Positive Changes So Far

• School enrolment has improved in many areas.

• Dropout rates have gone down, especially for girls.

• Parents feel more hopeful about their children’s education.

Taleemi Wazaif has strengthened these effects even further by requiring children to attend school at least 70% of the time to keep receiving payments.

Challenges That Remain

Even with BISP, some problems still stop children from going to school:

• Education costs are still too high for some families.

• Many villages lack nearby schools or safe transport.

• Some families still believe girls should stay home or marry early.

• Poor school facilities and lack of teachers affect learning quality.

What Can Be Done?

To help more children attend school, BISP can:

• Spread awareness about Taleemi Wazaif so more families can join.

• Provide transport solutions for remote areas.

• Offer bigger stipends for older students as their school costs rise.

• Work with mothers to support education decisions.

• Promote positive attitudes about girls’ education in communities.

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