A newly released government report has highlighted a worrying state of education in Pakistan, revealing that 26.2 million children remain out of school, including 13.4 million girls, according to local media reports on Friday.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training launched the Girls’ Education Statistics and Trends Report 2023-24 on Thursday, revealing both progress and persistent challenges in the country’s educational landscape. While the report showed significant improvements in girls’ primary school completion rates – rising from 75% to 89% – it also underlined systemic issues affecting access and quality.
Key Findings
Funding Concerns: The share of national education funding has decreased from 13% to 11%, with several provinces, particularly Punjab and Sindh, reducing their education budgets. A majority of the funds are consumed by salaries, leaving minimal resources for developmental projects or infrastructure.
Digital and Inclusive Education: Only 19% of schools are equipped with digital tools, and while 23% have installed ramps for specially-abled students, specialized assistive learning materials remain largely unavailable.
Malnutrition and Physical Growth: The report flagged malnutrition as an ongoing challenge, negatively impacting students’ height and weight, which could have long-term implications for learning outcomes.
Academic Progress: Despite challenges, girls are showing strong academic performance. Data from the National Achievement Test (NAT) 2023 confirms that female students outperformed boys in subjects such as English, Math, and Science, particularly in Grade 8.
Socio-Economic Pressures on Education
The report comes amid rising economic pressures on households. According to a Gallup Pakistan poll, households are increasingly allocating funds to cover basic living costs such as housing and utilities, often at the expense of food and education. Between 2005 and 2025, household spending on food fell from 43% to 37%, while housing and utility costs rose from 15% to 25% of household budgets.
This trend has contributed to increased food insecurity. The Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024-25 indicates that people facing moderate-to-severe food insecurity have risen from one in six in 2018-19 to one in four in 2024-25.
Shift in Education Financing
A report by the Institute of Social and Policy Science (I-SAP) highlights a historic shift, with households now bearing the majority of education costs. Of the total education expenditure of PKR 5.03 trillion, families contribute PKR 2.8 trillion, while the public sector provides PKR 2.23 trillion. Household expenses include PKR 1.31 trillion on private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tuition and shadow education, and PKR 878 billion on other costs, reflecting growing reliance on the private education system.
Government Response
At the launch of the report, Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui emphasized the importance of leveraging data to drive education policy. He noted that while significant gains have been made, particularly in girls’ enrollment, persistent gaps in access, funding, and nutritional support must be addressed to fully harness Pakistan’s human capital.
The report signals a critical moment for the country, stressing that despite achievements in enrollment and academic performance, systemic challenges – including underfunding, socio-economic barriers, and malnutrition – continue to hinder educational equity and quality.
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