ISLAMABAD September 09, 2024 (TDI): Pakistan is grappling with a severe education crisis, with 26.2 million children aged 5 to 16 currently out of school—36% of the country’s school-age population.
The Education Ministry revealed these alarming figures in the National Assembly, highlighting the particular risk for children aged 5 to 9. Of the 10.8 million children in this age group.
Around 51% have never attended school, while the rest have either dropped out or are no longer attending. This includes 4.97 million boys and 5.8 million girls.
For the 10 to 12 age group, 4.9 million are missing out on middle school education, comprising 2.1 million boys and 2.8 million girls.
At the high school level, 4.5 million students are absent, including 2.3 million boys and 2.2 million girls. Additionally, 5.9 million higher secondary students are not in school, with 3 million boys and nearly 3 million girls affected.
Read More: Unesco 6 million out of School children
With 71 million children aged five to 16 in Pakistan, the report “The Missing Third of Pakistan” shows that 36%—about 25.3 million—are not attending the school. Among these, 53% are girls and 47% are boys.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared a national education emergency, urging collaboration from the private sector and civil organizations.
Read Also: Islamabad Reports First Polio Case in 16 Years
UNESCO has highlighted the critical issue of educational access, noting that three out of four children in developing countries cannot read or understand a basic text by age 10.
Globally, 754 million adults are illiterate, with two-thirds being women.
The Prime Minister has pledged to enroll around 26 million missing school children and enhance literacy efforts.
“With unwavering resolve and provincial support, we will tackle the challenge will bring them back to school and declare an Education Emergency across Pakistan,” he had said at the National Conference on Education Emergency in May.
