BISP and School Attendance: Why It Matters for Girls
In Pakistan, many families can’t afford to send their kids to school—especially girls. Poverty, travel issues, and cultural problems often stop girls from getting an education. But there’s one program that’s quietly helping to change that: BISP and school attendance are now more connected than people think.
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) gives money to poor families so they can survive better. But did you know this same money is also helping many girls stay in school—even when it’s not directly meant for education?
In this article, we’ll explore how BISP affects school attendance, what works best for girls, and what more can be done to make it even stronger in 2025 and beyond.
What Is BISP & How Does It Help?
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is a government scheme in Pakistan that gives quarterly cash payments to poor families. The money usually goes to the mother of the household, and it’s meant to help with basic things like food, clothes, electricity bills, and small daily needs.
There are two main types of support under BISP:
| Type of Support | Details |
|---|---|
| Unconditional Cash | Families get money every 3 months. No school requirement. |
| Taleemi Wazaif | Extra money is given only if children attend school at least 70% each month. |
This second type is called a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) because it’s linked to education. If the child doesn’t go to school regularly, the family won’t get the extra amount.
How Taleemi Wazaif Works
Taleemi Wazaif is designed to help children stay in school. If the child goes to school at least 70% of the time, the family gets a bonus amount. This is especially useful for girls, because parents often pull them out of school due to costs or cultural pressure.
How BISP Helps Improve School Attendance – Especially for Girls
In many poor families, sending kids to school is hard because of costs like:
- School uniforms
- Notebooks and textbooks
- Travel or van charges
- School bags and shoes
For these families, even small school-related expenses feel like a big burden. So, they often send children—especially girls—to do house chores or work instead of going to school.
How BISP Makes a Difference
Even the basic BISP cash, which is not linked to school, makes a big impact. When families get regular money, they can finally buy school supplies and stop worrying about survival needs. This helps them think about education again.
Why Girls Benefit More
In Pakistan, girls face extra challenges when it comes to education:
| Challenges for Girls | Impact on Schooling |
|---|---|
| Early marriage pressure | Girls drop out before completing school |
| Household chores | Girls stay home instead of attending |
| Cultural beliefs | Some families don’t support girls’ education |
| Safety and long distances | Parents fear sending girls far |
But when mothers receive BISP cash, they often choose to support their daughters. They buy school supplies, pay van fares, and make sure their daughters stay in school.
Why the 70% School Attendance Rule Works So Wel
Under the Taleemi Wazaif program, the government gives extra money only if the child attends school at least 70% of the time in a month. This means kids must go to school almost 4 out of 5 days to keep receiving the stipend.
Why This Rule Is So Effective
The 70% attendance rule is more than just a condition—it changes the mindset of families. Here’s how it helps:
- Parents start taking school more seriously
- Children build a daily habit of going to class
- Families plan their routines around school timings
- Regular attendance leads to better classroom results
Even families not enrolled in Taleemi Wazaif start to notice this rule and begin treating education as an important routine, not a luxury.
Attendance Impact Table
| Before BISP/Taleemi Wazaif | After Applying 70% Rule |
|---|---|
| Irregular school attendance | Daily school habit improves |
| Children skipped school often | Dropout rate decreases |
| Parents didn’t care much | Parents become more involved |
| Girls often stayed home | More girls stay enrolled longer |
Problems That Still Exist in 2025
Even though BISP and school attendance are improving across Pakistan, many barriers still stop children—especially girls—from going to school regularly.
Common Problems in 2025
| Problem | Effect on Education |
|---|---|
| Schools too far | Girls can’t travel safely to distant schools |
| Transport costs | Parents can’t afford vans or buses |
| Cultural traditions | Some families still don’t allow girls to study |
| Poor school quality | Broken classrooms, no teachers, no toilets |
| Lack of Taleemi Wazaif awareness | Families don’t know how to apply or qualify |
Real-Life Impact
Even if families get unconditional BISP cash, it’s not always enough to cover all school-related costs. Especially in rural areas, the absence of school transport or proper buildings becomes a major reason for dropouts.
Some parents also don’t know about Taleemi Wazaif rules, so they miss out on extra support that could keep their children enrolled.
What Can Be Done to Improve BISP’s Impact Even More?
To make BISP and school attendance programs stronger, the government and communities need to work together. Giving money is helpful, but it’s not enough. There must be support systems that make sure children stay in school and learn well.
Practical Steps to Boost School Attendance
| Improvement Idea | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| More mobile awareness vans | Teaches families how to register for Taleemi Wazaif |
| Free transport services for girls | Makes it safer and easier for girls to attend school daily |
| Stricter attendance checks | Ensures families take the program seriously |
| School facility upgrades | Clean toilets, classrooms, and books motivate children |
| Monthly SMS reminders to parents | Helps track attendance and payment schedules easily |
| Village-level education champions | Local helpers who encourage enrollment and attendance |
Community-Based Support Matters
Local communities, especially women leaders and teachers, can guide mothers on how to keep children enrolled. Using technology like the BISP mobile app or biometric systems can also improve transparency and make it easier for families to know about their children’s eligibility.
With small but smart changes, the gap between cash help and school success can shrink.
Conclusion
The link between BISP and school attendance is strong, especially for girls in poor families. Through programs like Taleemi Wazaif, BISP has helped thousands of girls go to school who might have never gone before. But still, many face challenges like safety issues, long distances, or lack of awareness.
To really change the future, we need to go beyond just cash. We need strong schools, community support, and regular monitoring. If we focus on both financial help and family motivation, then every girl in Pakistan can go to school, stay there, and succeed.
