Terms of Reference (ToRs): Strengthening National and Punjab-Specific CCT Programs to Improve Enrollment and Retention of Girls in Secondary Schools in Pakistan

1. Background

Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs are critical tools to promote girls’ education in Pakistan. At the federal level, the Waseela-e-Taleem initiative under BISP provides education-linked cash transfers to vulnerable families. In Punjab, the Zewar-e-Taleem program offers financial incentives to girls enrolled in government high schools in 16 districts. While both programs aim to reduce financial barriers and increase girls’ enrollment and retention in secondary education, their lack of coordination leads to duplication, inefficient resource allocation, and missed opportunities for joint monitoring and learning. This study, commissioned by AwazCDS- Pakistan with the support of the Malala Fund, seeks to identify and address coordination gaps between these two programs. By focusing exclusively on the national and Punjab-level schemes, the study will provideevidence-based recommendations to harmonize eligibility criteria, enhance data interoperability, and promote collaborative monitoring frameworks.

However, Following the 18th Amendment, education has become a provincial subject. However, a lack of clarity exists on how provincial and national CCT schemes can operate within a unified or harmonized framework. This study seeks to address this gap by proposing feasible coordination mechanisms that respect provincial autonomy while ensuring national coherence in CCT efforts for girls’ secondary education.

Additionally, there is a need to assess the adequacy of stipend amounts in light of rising inflation. The Zewar-e-Taleem stipend has gradually increased from PKR 200 to PKR 1,000, yet its real value and impact remain questionable. Understanding its effectiveness and determining a realistic benchmark for advocacy is crucial.

2. Objectives of the Study

Primary Objective:

To identify coordination gaps between the national (Waseela-e-Taleem) and Punjab-specific (Zewar-e-Taleem) CCT programs and propose actionable solutions to improve harmonization, data sharing, and monitoring for enhanced impact on girls' secondary school outcomes.

Specific Objectives:

• To map the institutional design and delivery mechanisms of Waseela-e-Taleem and Zewar-e-Taleem.
• To assess the extent of coordination and communication between federal and provincial authorities for education CCT schemes, within the post-18th Amendment context.
• To analyze the adequacy and inflation-adjusted value of CCT stipends, and propose an evidence-based advocacy figure to improve educational outcomes.
• To identify inconsistencies in targeting, eligibility, disbursement modalities, and conditionalities.
• To review and synthesize available evidence and evaluations on the impact of existing CCT schemes and estimate potential gains from increased stipend amounts.
• To analyze data systems and assess interoperability and information flow between both programs.
• To document field-level implementation challenges and beneficiary perspectives.
• To recommend mechanisms for policy-level coordination, joint monitoring, and harmonized service delivery.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible to:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of the Waseela-e-Taleem and Zewar-e-Taleem program documentation (guidelines, evaluations, MIS reports, etc.).
• Assess how existing CCT schemes have performed over time using available evidence, and whether they have demonstrated improvements in enrollment, retention for girls’ secondary education.
• Estimate the positive outcomes using secondary data or program evaluations—that could result from increasing the stipend amount, and propose an inflation-adjusted figure suitable for policy advocacy.
• Examine legal and administrative considerations arising from the 18th Amendment, and propose how a unified or harmonized system for CCTs could function within provincial autonomy.
• Carry out Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with relevant federal (BISP, Ministry of Education, NCRC,
• Parliamentary Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, State Minister
• MOFEPT etc.) and Punjab government departments (School Education Department, P&D, PMIU, PSPA,
• parliamentarians of education standing committee, Minister of Education etc.).
• Analyze differences and overlaps in eligibility, conditionalities, stipend disbursement, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Review the data systems of both programs and assess scope for integration or interoperability.
• Propose a coordination framework with policy, administrative, and technical recommendations.

4. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

1. Inception Report (including methodology, work plan, and tools)
2. Mapping Document comparing Waseela-e-Taleem and Zewar-e-Taleem design features
3. Draft Report with preliminary findings and proposed coordination model
4. Feedback round with AwazCDS-Pakistan and key experts.
5. Final Comprehensive Study Report (including annexes)
6. Policy Brief summarizing key findings and strategic recommendations (3–5 pages)
7. Preparation and Presentation of findings in form of PPT.

5. Duration of Assignment

The assignment will be completed within 08 weeks from contract signing.

6. Qualification & Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Protection, or related field.
• Minimum 8-9 years of experience in education/social protection policy and research.
• Demonstrated understanding of CCT programs and education financing in Pakistan.
• Experience in conducting stakeholder consultations and mixed-methods research.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analysis and report writing skills.

7. Consultancy Cost- The total consultancy cost will be PKR 1,000,000.

8. Timeframe- The consultancy will begin on June 20th, 2025, and conclude with the final submission of the
Report by August 20th, 2025.