In a recent analysis report by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), the nation is confronted with a pressing crisis of out-of-school children, witnessing a concerning increase from 22.02 million to 26.21 million.
As of the 2021-22 period, Pakistan records a staggering 26.2 million out-of-school children, signifying a persistent challenge towards achieving universal education.
Balochistan emerges with the highest percentage of out-of-school children, reaching a staggering 65%, while Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reports the lowest. Among the major provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) demonstrates a relatively better performance with a 30% out-of-school rate.
Despite a decline in the percentage of out-of-school children from 44% in 2016-17 to 39% in 2021-22, the absolute number has surged from 22.02 million to 26.21 million within the same timeframe. This surge is primarily attributed to the population growth rate surpassing the decrease in out-of-school children.
At the higher secondary level, a troubling 60% of children are out of school in 2021-22. Further analysis unveils out-of-school rates of 44%, 30%, and 36% at high, middle, and primary levels respectively.
A significant portion of the out-of-school children, totaling 10.77 million, exists at the primary level, underscoring the urgent necessity for targeted interventions.
Economic disparities significantly influence educational access, with children from the poorest quintile facing the highest disadvantage across all education levels.
Addressing this crisis requires concerted efforts from policymakers, educators, and communities to ensure equitable access to quality education for all children across Pakistan.