Latest developments
The Education Beyond the Margins (EB2M) initiative in Nigeria has formally adopted a mentorship framework aimed at reducing cultism and drug misuse among secondary school pupils. The programme pairs senior students and community volunteers with at‑risk youths, offering academic support, life‑skills training and regular counselling sessions. Nigerian officials report a measurable decline in reported incidents of campus cult activity since the mentorship model was introduced.
In Lagos, a coalition of civil‑society groups, local businesses and philanthropists gathered to counsel students on the dangers of cultism and illicit drug use. The association also donated a functional borehole to a school in a low‑income neighbourhood, linking access to clean water with a healthier learning environment. Organisers said the combined approach of mentorship, education and basic infrastructure is intended to address the social drivers of youth vulnerability.
Across the Atlantic, the "I Dare to Care" mentorship programme in Camden, New Jersey, has been highlighted for its role in uplifting at‑risk youth. The initiative pairs volunteers with teenagers, providing academic tutoring, career guidance and emotional support. Early evaluations indicate improved school attendance and a reduction in substance‑related incidents among participants. The success of the Camden model has been cited by international NGOs as a template for replication in other regions.
Pakistani education authorities and non‑governmental organisations have taken note of these examples. Recent statements from provincial education departments indicate a growing interest in adopting mentorship‑based interventions to complement existing anti‑cultism campaigns. Several pilot projects are being planned in urban centres such as Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, with an emphasis on community‑driven mentorship and the provision of essential facilities like safe drinking water.
Why it matters
Youth cultism and drug abuse remain pressing challenges in Pakistan, particularly in densely populated cities where peer pressure and limited recreational options can push adolescents toward risky behaviour. Mentorship offers a proactive avenue to engage young people, providing role models who can steer them away from harmful groups and substances. By fostering personal connections, mentorship can also improve academic performance, which is closely linked to reduced susceptibility to illicit activities.
Community involvement amplifies the impact of mentorship. The Lagos example of coupling a borehole donation with counselling demonstrates how addressing basic needs—such as reliable water supply—can create an environment where educational initiatives thrive. In Pakistan, many schools lack adequate sanitation and water facilities, contributing to absenteeism and health issues that distract students from learning. Integrating infrastructure improvements with mentorship can therefore produce a more holistic benefit for learners.
The international dimension adds credibility and a repository of best practices. When Pakistani NGOs reference the measurable outcomes from Nigeria’s EB2M programme and the Camden mentorship model, they can adapt proven strategies rather than starting from scratch. This reduces the risk of ineffective interventions and accelerates the delivery of support to vulnerable youths.
Background
Cultism in Pakistani schools often manifests as secret societies that demand loyalty, financial contributions and involvement in violent confrontations. These groups exploit the lack of supervision and limited extracurricular options, drawing in teenagers seeking identity and belonging. Parallel to this, the country has witnessed a rise in the non‑medical use of prescription drugs and locally produced narcotics, especially in peri‑urban areas.
Mentorship as a concept dates back to traditional apprenticeship systems, but modern programmes formalise the relationship between an experienced adult and a younger mentee. Successful models typically combine academic tutoring, life‑skill workshops and regular personal check‑ins. Internationally, the EB2M initiative in Nigeria and the "I Dare to Care" project in the United States have demonstrated that sustained mentorship can lower rates of school dropout, violence and substance abuse.
In Pakistan, the Ministry of Education has previously launched anti‑cultism campaigns that focus on awareness and punitive measures. However, these efforts have shown limited long‑term success without complementary support structures. The emerging consensus among policy analysts is that mentorship can fill this gap by offering positive alternatives and building resilience among at‑risk youths.
What happens next
Provincial education ministries are expected to allocate modest budgets for pilot mentorship schemes in the coming academic year, with an emphasis on partnerships between schools, local NGOs and private donors. Monitoring frameworks will be established to track attendance, disciplinary incidents and drug‑related reports among participating students.
If early pilots demonstrate reductions in cult‑related conflicts and drug misuse, the model could be scaled nationally. International development agencies have expressed interest in supporting infrastructure components, such as safe water installations, to complement mentorship activities.
Summary
- Mentorship programmes in Nigeria and the US have shown measurable reductions in youth cultism and drug abuse. - Lagos stakeholders linked mentorship with a borehole donation, highlighting the value of combining guidance with basic infrastructure. - Pakistani authorities are planning pilot mentorship projects, drawing on these international examples. - The approach aims to provide role models, improve school attendance and address underlying social needs. - Successful pilots could lead to nationwide adoption, supported by government funds and international aid.
Related headlines (third-party)
- The Guardian Nigeria News: EB2M embraces mentorship to curb cultism, drug abuse
- Vanguard News: Stakeholders counsel Lagos students on cultism, drug abuse as association donates borehole
- 6abc Philadelphia: 'I Dare to Care' mentorship program uplifts youth in Camden, NJ
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