ANALYSIS OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND LITERACY

DATA OF RAHIM YAR KHAN, BAHAWALNAGAR AND

BAHAWALPUR DISTRICTS
Submitted To

Prof. Dr. Aslam Adeeb

Prepared By

Department of Education
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

Semester:

1st

Course Title:

Planning for Adult Literacy in Pakistan

Course Code:

EDU.42013

Submission Date:

25-02-2010

Words Count:

3413

Declaration
I certify that no part of this assignment is copied from any print and/or electronic source
and to the best of my knowledge no material and information is included in this
assignment without due references.

__________________________

Contents
SUMMARY.....................................................................................................................5
Introduction......................................................................................................................6
Data of District Rahim Yar Khan.....................................................................................6
Punjab Literacy Department........................................................................................7
NCHD..........................................................................................................................8
NEF..............................................................................................................................9
Data of District Bahawalnagar.......................................................................................10
Punjab Literacy Department......................................................................................10
NCHD........................................................................................................................11
Data of District Bahawalpur..........................................................................................12
Punjab Literacy Department......................................................................................13
Findings.........................................................................................................................14
Discussion......................................................................................................................15
Conclusions....................................................................................................................17
Recommendations..........................................................................................................18
References and Resources.............................................................................................20

SUMMARY
The assignment entitled Analysis of the Demographic and Literacy Data of District
Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur was aimed to explore literacy status
of three districts of southern Punjab i.e. Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar
Khan. The Scholar visited the 06 offices of Punjab Literacy Department, National
Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and National Education Foundation
(NEF) in the three districts and collected first hand literacy data. Some demographic
data was collected through internet as well as different surveys and reports. It was found
that the districts possess significant area and population in the province however literacy
rate is less than rest of the province. The three departments are working in the three
districts focusing on female literacy. It was recommended to start new literacy programs
for males in District Rahim Yar Khan and improve management structure of NEF in
Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur districts. Special efforts were also recommended for
Cholistan area.

ANALYSIS OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND LITERACY

DATA OF RAHIM YAR KHAN, BAHAWALNAGAR AND
BAHAWALPUR DISTRICTS
Introduction
Adult literacy remained an important issue in Pakistan from decades. Though
Government initiated literacy programs at federal as well as provincial level however
these programs has some variations according to different social, cultural and financial
circumstances of various areas of the country. In this assignment an analysis of
demographic data of the three districts of Punjab, (Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim
Yar Khan) is being presented.
Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan are three districts of Bahawalpur
Division located in southern Punjab. The districts comprised the area of former princely
state Bahawalpur. Though Cholistan Desert covers a large area of the districts however
urban localities present the picture of socially well aware cities. Majority of people lives
in rural areas. Trade and farming are major sources of income. Literacy rate in the
districts is comparatively low from rest of the districts of Punjab except some remote
districts of Southern Punjab. Basic demographic and literacy information of the three
districts of Punjab Province is being presented here.

Data of District Rahim Yar Khan

Rahim Yar Khan a district of Bahawalpur Division has largest population among the three
districts. Punjab Literacy Department, National Commission for Human Development
(NCHD) and National Education Foundation (NEF) are making efforts to promote
literacy in District Rahim Yar Khan. Detailed data is presented below.

Table 01
Demographic Data of Rahim Yar Khan
Area
SKM

Population

% below Rs
750 pm income

Average per capita

income pm

Literacy Rate
+10

Literacy
Rate +15

11880

3910000

63

974

39

35

Table 01 indicates that District Rahim Yar Khan possesses the area of 11880 Square
Kilometers and the population of 3.91 millions. Sixty three percent of total population
earns less than Rs 750 monthly whereas average per capita income in Rahim Yar Khan is
Rs974. The District has literacy rate of 39% for the age group of +10 years and this figure
is 35% for the age group +15 years.
The data reveals poor earnings of people of the district. Literacy rate discloses that more
than half population of the district Rahim Yar Khan is non-literate. Gap between +10 and
+15 years age group shows comparatively better trends for Universal Primary Education
in the district.

Punjab Literacy Department

Punjab Literacy and Information Technology Department is working in the district Rahim
Yar Khan. No program of post-literacy is running in the district under Literacy
Department in the district however one literacy program is functioning in the district
Rahim Yar Khan.

Table 02
Literacy Programs under Punjab Literacy Department
Program Name

For Females

For Males

Total

Teachers

Learners

NFBE Schools

170

00

170

170

5100

Table 02 shows that only one program of literacy named Non- Formal Basic Education
Schools program is functioning in the district Rahim Yar Khan. Under this program 170
NFBE Schools are in function in the district. All the schools are for females. Similarly
170 literacy teachers are recruited in the district. Totally 5100 learners are enrolled. All
learners are females.
Data reveals loose efforts of Punjab Literacy Department to eliminate illiteracy from the
district Rahim Yar Khan. Focus of the program is on women literacy whereas male nonliterates are totally ignored in current working programs.

NCHD
National Commission for Human Development is also working in the District Rahim Yar
Khan and running the program named Adult Literacy Centers. All the Literacy centers are
for females of 15 to 40 years age group. Detail of the program is given below.
Table 03
NCHD Programs
Program Name

For Females

For Males

Total

Teachers

Learners

ALC

300

00

300

300

7500

Table 03 expresses that only one program, Adult Literacy Centers (ALC), is running for
literacy in the District Rahim Yar Khan under NCHD. Total 300 adult literacy centers are
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functioning in the district. All 300 literacy centers are for females in which 300 teachers
are recruited and 7500 learners are enrolled.
Data indicates significant efforts of NCHD to promote adult literacy especially among
females in the District Rahim Yar Khan.

NEF
National Education Foundation (NEF) is working in the District Rahim Yar Khan and
running the program entitled Establishing & Operating of Basic Education Community
Schools (BECS). Detail of the program is written below.
Table 04
NEF Programs
Program Name

For Females

For Males

Total

Teachers

Learners

BECS

218

15

233

233

6990

Table 04 indicates that one program, Basic Education Community Schools (BECS), is
running for literacy in the District Rahim Yar Khan. Total 233 BECS (218 for females
and 15 for males) are functioning in the district in which 233 teachers are recruited and
6990 learners are enrolled.
Data indicates significant efforts of NEF to promote adult literacy especially among
females in the District Rahim Yar Khan. A large number of non-literates are being literate
under this program.

Data of District Bahawalnagar

No district office of NEF is currently functioning in the District Bahawalnagar however
important demographic and literacy data available from Punjab Literacy Department and
NCHD is discussed below.
Table 05
Demographic Data of Bahawalnagar
Area
SKM

Population

% below Rs
750 pm income

Average per capita

income pm

Literacy Rate
+10

Literacy
Rate +15

8878

2432000

58

977

47

44

Table 05 shows that District Bahawalnagar has the area of 8878 Square Kilometers and
the population of 2.43 millions. Fifty eight percent of total population earns less than
Rs750 monthly whereas average per capita income in Bahawalnagar District is Rs977.
The District has literacy rate of 47% for the age group of +10 years and 44% for the age
group of +15 years.
The data reveals poor earnings of people of the district. Literacy rate discloses that more
than half population of the district Bahawalnagar is non-literate. Gap between +10 and
+15 years age group shows comparatively better trends for Universal Primary Education
in the district.

Punjab Literacy Department

Punjab Literacy Department is working in the district Bahawalnagar in adult literacy
programs. No program of post-literacy is running in the district under Literacy
Department however one literacy program is functioning in the district Bahawalnagar.

10

Table 06
Literacy Programs under Punjab Literacy Department
Program Name

For Females

For Males

Total

Teachers

Learners

NFBE Schools

112

68

180

180

5753

Table 06 shows that only one program of literacy named Non- Formal Basic Education
Schools program is functioning in the District Bahawalnagar. Under this program 180
NFBE Schools are in function in the district. Among them 112 NFBE Schools are for
females and 68 are for males. Similarly 180 (Females: 112 & Males: 68) literacy teachers
are recruited in the district. Totally 5753 learners are enrolled.
Data reveals limited efforts of Punjab Literacy Department to eliminate illiteracy from
the district having very low literacy rate. Though focus of the program is on women
literacy however significant numbers of schools are working for males in the district, as
well.

NCHD
National Commission for Human Development is also working in the District
Bahawalnagar and running the program entitled Adult Literacy Centers. Though some
centers, in Jail and Bathha, and Madaress, are working for males however target group of
the program is considered females of 15 to 40 years age group. Detail of the program is
written below.

11

Table 07
NCHD Programs
Program Name

For Females

For Males

Total

Teachers

Learners

ALC

210

30

240

240

6000

Table 07 expresses that only one program, Adult Literacy Centers (ALC), is running for
literacy in the District Bahawalnagar. Total 240 adult literacy centers (210 for females
and 30 for males) are functioning in the district in which 240 teachers are recruited and
6000 learners are enrolled.
Data indicates solid efforts of NCHD to promote adult literacy especially among females
in the District Bahawalnagar however ALCs for males working in Jail, Bathha, and
Madaress are producing courageous results.

Data of District Bahawalpur

District Bahawalpur has more area than Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan Districts.
Important demographic and literacy data of district Bahawalpur is presented below.
Table 08
Demographic Data of Bahawalpur
Area
SKM

Population

% below Rs
750 pm income

Average per capita

income pm

Literacy Rate
+10

Literacy
Rate +15

24832

3005000

66

863

43

41

Table 08 shows that District Bahawalpur has the area of 24832 Square Kilometers and the
population of 3.0 millions. Sixty Six percent of total population earns less than Rs750
monthly whereas average per capita income in Bahawalpur District is Rs863. The District

12

has literacy rate of 43% for the age group of +10 years and 41% for the age group of +15
years.
The data reveals low earnings of people of the district Bahawalpur. Literacy rate discloses
relatively better position of literacy and adult literacy in the district.

Punjab Literacy Department

Punjab Literacy Department is working in district Bahawalpur in adult literacy programs.
No program of post-literacy is running in the district under Literacy Department however
one literacy program is functioning in the district Bahawalpur.
Table 09
Literacy Programs under Punjab Literacy Department
Program Name

For Females

For Males

Total

Teachers

Learners

NFBE Schools

160

40

200

200

10000

Table 09 shows that only one literacy program named Non- Formal Basic Education
Schools program is functioning in the District Bahawalpur. Under this program 200
NFBE Schools are in function in the district. One hundred and sixty schools are for
females and 40 Schools are for males. Two hundreds teachers are recruited and nearly
10,000 learners are enrolled.
Data reveals limited efforts of Punjab Literacy Department to eliminate illiteracy from
the district. Focus of the program is on females however a significant number of schools
are functioning for males in the District Bahawalpur.

13

Findings
1- Data reveals that among the three districts Bahawalpur has largest area i.e. 24830
square kilometer whereas Rahim Yar Khan 11880 Square Km and Bahawalnagar
8878 Square Km. It is estimated that only these three districts covers the 22.2
percent of the total area of Punjab province.
2- Rahim Yar Khan is Largest among the three districts for population having
3910000 persons whereas Bahawalpur is second with the population of 3005000
and Bahawalnagar has the population of 2432000. Totally three districts comprise
the 10.59 percent of Punjab provincial population.
3- Monthly income of the 66% of the population of Bahawalpur is below than Rs750
whereas this figure is 63% for Rahim Yar Khan and 58% for the district of
Bahawalnagar. Average per capita income of the people of Bahawalnagar is
Rs977 per month whereas this amount is Rs974 for Rahim Yar Khan District and
Rs863 for the district of Bahawalpur.
4- Literacy rate of the age group of 10+ years for the district Bahawalnagar is 47%,
Bahawalpur, 43% and for the district Rahim Yar Khan is 39%. Literacy rate of the
age group of 15+ years for the district Bahawalnagar is 44%, Bahawalpur, 41%
and for the district Rahim Yar Khan is 35%.
5- Only one program of literacy named Non- Formal Basic Education Schools
program is functioning in the district Rahim Yar Khan. Under this program 170
NFBE Schools are in function in the district. All the schools are for females.
Similarly 170 literacy teachers are recruited in the district. Totally 5100 learners
are enrolled. All learners are females.
6- One program named Adult Literacy Centers (ALC) is running for literacy in the
District Rahim Yar Khan under NCHD. Total 300 adult literacy centers are
functioning in the district. All 300 literacy centers are for females in which 300
teachers are recruited and 7500 learners are enrolled.

14

7- One program named Basic Education Community Schools (BECS), is running for
literacy in the District Rahim Yar Khan. Total 233 BECS (218 for females and 15
for males) are functioning in the district in which 233 teachers are recruited and
6990 learners are enrolled.
8- Only one program of literacy named Non- Formal Basic Education Schools
program is functioning in the District Bahawalnagar. Under this program 180
NFBE Schools are in function in the district. Among them 112 NFBE Schools are
for females and 68 are for males. Similarly 180 (Females: 112 & Males: 68)
literacy teachers are recruited in the district. Totally 5753 learners are enrolled.
9- One program named Adult Literacy Centers (ALC) is running for literacy in the
District Bahawalnagar. Total 240 adult literacy centers (210 for females and 30 for
males) are functioning in the district in which 240 teachers are recruited and 6000
learners are enrolled.
10- Only one literacy program named Non- Formal Basic Education Schools program
is functioning in the District Bahawalpur. Under this program 200 NFBE Schools
are in function in the district. One hundred and sixty schools are for females and
40 Schools are for males. Two hundreds teachers are recruited and nearly 10,000
learners are enrolled.

Discussion
1- Bahawalpur district has largest area among the three districts but in population
RYKhan is on the top. Though the three districts covers 22.2% of the area of
Punjab but population of the districts is only 10% of the Punjab province. It
indicates that the three districts are less populated than rest of the Punjab.
2- Income of people of the districts Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and RYKhan, is
comparatively low than rest of the Punjab. Sixty two percent of the people earn
below than Rs750 monthly whereas this percentage is 39% for the province
Punjab. Average per capita income is highest (Rs977) in the district Bahawalnagar
15

and lowest in Bahawalpur district (Rs863). Average per capita income of the three
districts is Rs938 that is Rs447 less than the average of the province Punjab
(Rs1385). It indicates two factors. Firstly deteriorate economic circumstances in
the districts and secondly low literacy level of people of the districts. Which have
made people of the districts far behind from Punjab province in per capita income.
3- Another important issue is literacy position of the Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and
RYKhan districts. Literacy rate of 10+ age group of Bahawalnagar is
comparatively better than other two districts. But low gap between +10 and +15
years age groups indicate ineffectiveness of UPE programs
4- Only in Rahim Yar Khan District office of National Education Foundation (NEF)
is established whereas its functional programs of Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar
districts are managed and supervised through its provincial office Lahore. This
situation is not supportive for good results in these two districts.
5- In District Rahim Yar Khan males are fully ignored by Punjab Literacy
Department and NCHD. Both departments have opened no NFBE School for
males however only 15 BECS are opened for males in the district. This situation
is completely one sided in a district where male literacy rate is also far behind
from targets that is 49% for the males age group of +15 years.
6- NFBE Schools of Punjab Literacy Department are over crowded in district
Bahawalpur where approximately ten thousands learners are enrolled in two
hundreds NFBE Schools. It makes teacher-learner ratio 1:50. This is a fearful
position for an adult literacy classroom.
7- All the departments are running programs independently without any official and
formal coordination with each other. It often becomes a reason of wastage and
improper use of resources.

16

Conclusions
After detail discussion about demographic and literacy data of Rahin Yar Khan,
Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur following conclusions are drawn.
1- The three districts cover 22.2% of the total area of the Punjab province whereas
their share in the province population is only 10.59%.
2- It is concluded that majority population of the districts is poor and belongs to low
income segment of society.
3- Literacy rate of the districts is lower than average literacy rate of the province. It
reveals insufficient performance of the districts than rest of the province.
4- There are no district offices of National Education Foundation (NEF) in
Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur Districts. Programs and projects of NEF in these
districts are managed by provincial office Lahore.
5- No literacy program of Punjab Literacy Department and NCHD is functioning for
male non-literates in District Rahim Yar Khan.
6- Punjab Literacy Department has started significant numbers of NFBE in the
districts Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur for male non-literates.
7- NFBE Schools of Punjab Literacy Department in District Bahawalpur are over
crowded.
8- No training center for literacy educators and officials is established in the three
districts.

17

Recommendations
To get improvement in literacy situation of the three districts following suggestions are
recommended.
1- It is described that the three districts especially Bahawalpur has scattered
population. Cholistan desert makes the boundaries of Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar
Khan Districts far from their districts capitals. It is needed to start literacy
programs in remote and deprived areas of the three districts so that a large
population may get access to literacy centers and schools.
2- In this regard local infrastructure and human resources must be utilized recruiting
local based teachers and other staff.
3- Programs of functional literacy and skill development are strongly recommended
for the districts. As it is stated that majority population belong to low income
families, their interest in skill development programs, which may cause
improvements in their economic conditions, is more than mere literacy programs.
In this regard literacy programs must be integrated with skill development and
income generating programs.
4- Formal and official relationships among the departments, struggling for literacy,
are mandatory to create uniformity and promote effectiveness of the programs.
Collaboration and coordination among the departments will ease their problems
and issues regarding literacy targets.
5- The districts especially Bahawalpur has a vast area with scattered population
which demands a large number of NFBE schools and Adult Literacy Centers in
Cholistan desert so that learners may get easily access to Schools and literacy
centers.
6- Opening new NFBE Schools and centers may reduce the problem of over
crowded classrooms. School with appropriate number of learners is supportive for
teaching-learning process.
18

7- Training centers for literacy teachers and official should be established at district
level. It will encourage and professionally develop the literacy educators of
remote areas of the districts.

19

References and Resources

1- Annual Progress Report 2007-08, NRSP URL: http://nrsp.org.pk/Documents/AR
%20Part%201.pdf
2- Federal Bureau of Statistics, Govt. of Punjab URL:
www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/index.html
3- Literacy Initiatives For Empowerment, Literacy Promotion in Punjab URL:
http://www.paklife.net/nfer_library/Reports/4-9.pdf
4- Literacy and NFBE Department, Government of Punjab URL:
http://pportal.punjab.gov.pk/portal/portal/mediatype/html/group/367;jsessionid=0a00000230d7669b464cfb8047a98bca93ddb4a7
b2e8.e34Ma3iPcheLci0TchuSaNeNc3z0n6jAmljGr5XDqQLvpAe?
page_name=367home&group_type=dept&group_id=367&group_name=Literacy
%20and%20Non%20Formal%20Basic%20Education&js_pane=P-1004ba7697510000&pview=true
5- Ministry of Education, Govt. of Pakistan URL: http://www.moe.edu.pk
6- Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey 2004-2005, Statistics
Division URL: http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/statistics/pslm2004-05/pslms
%202004-05.pdf
7- Punjab Education Statistics, Academy of Education Planning and Management
URL: http://aepam.edu.pk/PEStat.htm
8- Summary of Needs Assessment Report on Literacy Initiative for Empowerment
(Pakistan), LIFE, URL: http://www.paklife.net/files/Summary%20of%20Need
%20Assessment%20Report%20on%20LIFE.pdf

20

9- UNESCO, Guidelines for the Strategic Framework of Action for the United
Nations Literacy Decade in Pakistan URL:
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001392/139212eo.pdf
10- UNESCO, Significant Developments and Trends in Literacy and Basic Education
for Youth and Adults URL:
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001469/146969e.pdf

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