Pakistan is grappling with a growing education crisis as a recent government report reveals that more than 25 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 are currently out of school. This staggering figure paints a concerning picture for the future of the country’s youth and highlights the urgent need for bold educational reforms.
Official Findings: A Nationwide Challenge
According to the latest Non-Formal Education (NFE) Report 2023–2024, jointly developed by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in collaboration with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), the number of out-of-school children (OOSC) stands at a critical 25.37 million.
The report focuses on both primary and secondary education levels and is based on provincial and federal data gathered across Pakistan. Despite numerous policies and initiatives over the past decade, the gap between enrolled and unenrolled children continues to widen, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Non-Formal Education: A Lifeline for Many
While the formal education sector struggles to meet the needs of Pakistan’s growing population, Non-Formal Education (NFE) centers have emerged as an alternative solution. The report reveals:
- 1.29 million students are currently enrolled in 35,427 NFE centers across Pakistan.
- This marks a 20% increase in enrollment compared to the previous year.
- Most of these centers operate in remote areas, reaching children who would otherwise have no access to schooling.
Despite this progress, the number of children entering the NFE system is still a fraction of the total OOSC population. Experts believe that unless the government significantly scales up its outreach and funding, millions of children will remain excluded from basic education.
Barriers to Education
Several challenges contribute to the high number of out-of-school children in Pakistan:
- Poverty: Many families cannot afford school-related expenses, forcing children to work or stay at home.
- Gender disparity: Girls, particularly in conservative rural areas, are often denied access to education.
- Inadequate infrastructure: Thousands of schools lack basic facilities like clean water, electricity, and toilets.
- Security concerns: In conflict-prone regions, parents fear sending their children to school.
- Natural disasters: Floods and earthquakes have damaged thousands of schools, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.
The Way Forward: Recommendations from the Report
The report strongly recommends:
- Scaling up Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs) to bring children up to grade level quickly.
- Expanding NFE infrastructure, particularly in high-need areas.
- Investing in teacher training and ensuring quality instruction.
- Launching data-driven policies to better track enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships to leverage technology and community-based models.