Islamabad, July 2025 — In a landmark event held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, officially launched the Pakistan Non-Formal Education Report 2023-24. The unveiling marks a pivotal step in the country’s efforts to bring every child into the fold of education through non-formal learning systems.
The report, developed with support from the Pakistan Institute for Education (PIE) and the JICA-supported Advancing Quality Alternative Learning (AQAL) Project, provides the most comprehensive overview to date of the non-formal education landscape across Pakistan. It includes data on enrollment, dropouts, learning outcomes, gender disparities, and geographic access to educational services for out-of-school children (OOSC).
Dr. Siddiqui declared the report a vital instrument in Pakistan’s educational reform agenda. “Without reliable, accurate, and disaggregated data, we cannot address the deep-rooted challenges of non-formal education,” he stated. He highlighted the effective operation of the dedicated Education Management Information System (EMIS) cell as a major achievement in data-driven policymaking.
The Minister emphasized that the goal is “Zero Out-of-School Children by 2025,” a commitment that reflects Pakistan’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) — ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
In his address, Dr. Siddiqui also announced that the Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025 is in its final drafting stages. The new policy aims to institutionalize alternative learning pathways, introduce a standardized assessment mechanism for non-formal education teachers, and promote the reintegration of children into the mainstream system through accelerated learning programs.
Federal Secretary for Education, Mr. Nadeem Mehbub, echoed the need for coordinated action between federal and provincial departments, civil society, and international partners to achieve national education goals. He called on provincial education authorities to integrate the findings of the report into their planning processes.
Key highlights from the report include:
- Identification of millions of out-of-school children, particularly in rural and marginalized areas.
- Gender gap analysis indicating that girls continue to lag behind boys in access to non-formal education.
- Positive outcomes from pilot accelerated learning initiatives across various districts.
- Policy recommendations on resource allocation, teacher training, and curriculum integration.
The report also proposes a multi-tiered governance model to oversee non-formal education delivery, ensuring accountability, teacher performance, and learning quality.
Dr. Siddiqui reiterated that education remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s socio-economic development. “A nation cannot thrive without educating its youth. Our future depends on inclusive learning systems that leave no child behind,” he said.
He further emphasized the critical importance of female education, noting that educated women are agents of change and crucial to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty. “Empowering girls through education leads to healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient economy,” he asserted.
This national report is expected to serve as a guiding framework for policymakers, educators, and development partners. It provides a roadmap for building an education system that is not only inclusive but also responsive to the diverse needs of Pakistan’s children.
Next Steps:
- Finalization and implementation of the Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025.
- Development of the National Action Plan for Non-Formal Education 2025, focusing on scalability and sustainability.
- Strengthening provincial alignment and resource mobilization for nationwide implementation.
The launch event concluded with a strong message: Pakistan’s education transformation hinges on collaborative action, innovation, and unwavering political will.