25 million reasons Pakistan must fix its schools

EVERY third Pakistani child is growing up outside a classroom. Behind this staggering figure lie 25 million futures at risk and a nation whose economic and social progress is increasingly uncertain. According to the 2023–24 Pakistan Education Statistics Report, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the education system is failing to deliver universal, equitable and quality education, which is a worrying trend. If prompt and thorough reforms aren’t implemented swiftly, the nation’s youth bulge could turn into a lasting social and economic challenge. The biggest concern for Pakistan’s education system is the increasing number of out-of-school children. The Pakistan Education Statistics Report 2023–24 reveals that about 25.1 million children aged five to sixteen are not attending school, which is roughly 35 percent of the nation’s school-going demographic. This challenge affects some provinces more than others. Due to its substantial population, Punjab has the greatest total count of children not attending school, totaling almost 9.7 million. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have about 4.5 million and 3.5 million children, respectively, with Sindh following with close to 7.4 million. Despite Punjab having the highest absolute number, Balochistan’s situation is more dire proportionally, as almost 70% of school-aged children are out of school. This crisis is exacerbated by gender inequalities. In provinces like Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, girls make up a greater percentage of children not attending school. This highlights ongoing cultural, economic and institutional obstacles that still hinder girls’ educational access. The causes of this educational exclusion are intricate and intertwined. The primary barrier preventing numerous families from affording school-related expenses, both direct and indirect, is poverty. Education appears unaffordable for many families because children’s labour contributes to their income. Lack of schools nearby, poor