A recent government report has unveiled a severe educational crisis in Pakistan, with more than 25 million children currently out of school. The data, published by The Nation newspaper, originates from the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), a government body, and highlights a critical failure in the nation's education system.
Provincial Breakdown Reveals Deep Disparities
The PIE report provides a stark province-wise breakdown, showing significant inequalities across the country. Punjab has the highest number, with 9.6 million out-of-school children, including 4.7 million boys and 4.8 million girls. Sindh follows closely with 7.8 million children deprived of education, comprising 3.7 million boys and 4 million girls.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the figure stands at 4.9 million children, with a notable gender gap of 2 million boys and 2.9 million girls. Balochistan reports 2.9 million out-of-school children, split between 1.4 million boys and 1.5 million girls. Even the federal capital, Islamabad, is not immune, grappling with 89,000 children aged 6-16 outside the education system.
Marginalised Communities and an Alarming Trend
The report also sheds light on the exclusion of highly marginalised groups, noting that 1,084 transgender children are among those not enrolled in any educational institution. This raises serious concerns about inclusivity and equal access to education for all.
Perhaps most alarming is the report's projection that the situation is deteriorating. The number of out-of-school children is increasing by 20,000 every year, signaling an urgent and growing problem that demands immediate intervention.
A Call for Urgent Government Action
Education experts are sounding the alarm, stressing that effective and immediate policy measures are crucial to reverse this trend. The escalating numbers underscore a systemic failure and the pressing need for the government to implement robust strategies to ensure every child in Pakistan has access to formal education. The future of millions of children hangs in the balance, making this one of the most critical challenges facing the nation.
