Pakistan’s education sector stands at a critical juncture, grappling with profound challenges that threaten the nation’s future. With 26 million children out of school and only 12% of eligible students accessing higher education, the system struggles under the weight of inequity, inadequate quality, and misalignment with market demands.

These deficits not only hinder individual growth but also stymie Pakistan’s socio-economic development, as reflected in its low Human Development Index ranking of 164th out of 193 countries. Pakistan’s education system grapples with multifaceted predicaments, most prominently the staggering statistic of nearly 26 million children who remain outside the folds of formal education. Even among those enrolled, only a meager 5% receive instruction of commendable quality, exposing a deep chasm in educational standards. Alarmingly, merely 12% of individuals within the higher education age bracket can access universities or equivalent institutions, as detailed in the Ministry of Education’s National Education Policy Development Framework 2024.

No region within the country can claim immunity from these crises. This dire scenario has dire implications for economic progression and societal advancement, as an educated workforce serves as the cornerstone of national prosperity. Consequently, Pakistan languishes at an abysmal rank of 164 out of 193 nations on the Human Development Index (HDI).

Pakistan’s last formalized education policy dates back to 2009, with an interim framework unveiled in 2018. The 2024 document now aspires to guide provincial education strategies. Alongside illuminating the dual crises of subpar instruction and out-of-school children, the framework highlights additional grave concerns, such as the prevalence of stunting—a condition affecting 40% of children under five irreversibly. Moreover, despite existing prohibitions, corporal punishment persists, and systemic issues like bullying and child abuse remain inadequately addressed.

The framework sheds light on the rapid yet uneven expansion of higher education in recent years. While the sector has grown in size, it continues to grapple with significant hurdles that undermine its efficacy in fostering cutting-edge research, providing globally relevant education, and catalyzing socio-economic growth.

Many universities falter in offering curricula aligned with contemporary global and industrial standards. Strengthening teaching methodologies and enhancing research outputs are paramount. Despite increased infrastructure, higher education remains out of reach for 88% of eligible individuals, reflecting a glaring participation gap. Pakistan’s output in critical fields such as STEM lags behind global benchmarks, necessitating robust investments in research facilities and fostering academia-industry collaborations.

The curricula must align with market demands, ensuring graduates possess the skills required by modern industries. The framework calls for a recalibration of the Quality Assurance Framework to reflect on-the-ground realities, ensuring seamless implementation. Recognizing the crucial interplay between education and economic vitality, it underscores the urgency of bolstering innovation ecosystems and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships.

The document emerges as a product of extensive consultations with provincial stakeholders and domain experts, addressing the spectrum of challenges spanning early childhood learning, higher secondary education, non-formal literacy programs, and technical and vocational training.

The systemic dysfunction in Pakistan’s education sector cannot be overstated. With foundational literacy levels faltering and inequities widening across rural and urban divides, the nation faces a monumental task. Implementing data-driven policies and ensuring equitable access to education, particularly for marginalized groups, are non-negotiable steps for reversing this trend.

If left unaddressed, these chronic deficiencies will perpetuate cycles of poverty and social stagnation, jeopardizing Pakistan’s aspirations for meaningful progress on both economic and human development fronts. The framework sheds light on critical challenges in Pakistan’s education sector, focusing on issues of access, quality, and equity while underscoring the need for market-relevant technical education and diverse career pathways. Pakistan’s education crisis is epitomized by its dismal ranking of 164th among 193 nations, with a literacy rate stagnating at 62% and an alarming 26 million children out of school. The situation is exacerbated by glaring deficiencies in foundational learning, limited access to higher education—reaching only 12% of the eligible population—and the inability to align educational outcomes with market demands. These systemic failures, coupled with inadequate resources and the complexities of Pakistan’s diverse demographics, hinder policy implementation and progress.

A staggering 25.3 million children between the ages of 5 and 16—equating to 36% of the school-age population—are currently not attending school, according to the 2023 Population Census. These sobering statistics are presented in The Missing Third of Pakistan, a report by the Pak Alliance for Maths and Science (PAMS), which offers the first in-depth analysis of out-of-school children (OOSC) at the tehsil level.

The report reveals that 74% of these children live in rural areas, where enrollment initiatives face immense hurdles, including poverty, insufficient school facilities, and entrenched social barriers. The rural-urban divide in education continues to grow, with 18.8 million out-of-school children residing in rural areas alone. Particularly concerning is the plight of children aged 5 to 9, where 51% have never set foot in a classroom. Even among those who do enroll, over half eventually drop out, further exacerbating the crisis.

These early educational gaps have far-reaching consequences for literacy and learning outcomes. Foundational skills, which are critical for long-term academic and professional success, are most often developed in early childhood. Delays in school enrollment—driven by economic hardship, lack of infrastructure, and limited awareness—particularly affect rural communities.

The crisis is compounded by significant gender disparities. Girls make up 53% of the out-of-school population, with rural areas bearing the brunt of this inequality. In some tehsils, over 80% of girls aged 5 to 16 have never attended school, reflecting deep-rooted cultural and socio-economic biases. The gap between male and female educational attainment continues to widen as societal norms and financial constraints hinder girls’ access to learning.

Urban centers, despite their comparatively better infrastructure, are not immune. Cities like Karachi and Lahore, known for their resources and opportunities, still struggle to address the issue. Karachi alone accounts for nearly 1.8 million out-of-school children, illustrating the scale of the problem even in metropolitan areas.

The report emphasizes the necessity of a data-driven strategy to combat these educational shortfalls. Targeted interventions in regions with the highest concentrations of out-of-school children are vital for narrowing the rural-urban divide. Moreover, collaborative efforts between federal and provincial governments are essential to address disparities, improve infrastructure, and facilitate greater enrollment.

Experts warn that without decisive action, these challenges will continue to undermine Pakistan’s workforce potential and jeopardize economic development. An urgent, unified response is imperative to transform the education system and secure a brighter future for the country’s youth.

Pakistan’s education crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity. While the alarming statistics reveal a dire need for immediate intervention, they also underscore the potential for transformative change. By adopting a data-driven approach, fostering collaboration across federal and provincial levels, and prioritizing equitable access to quality education, Pakistan can begin to address the systemic shortcomings plaguing its educational landscape. The path to progress demands a unified effort to ensure every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to learn, thrive, and contribute to the nation’s future. The time to act is now—Pakistan’s prosperity depends on it.