A new UNESCO report is a sobering reminder of the world’s failure to ensure universal access to education. Despite ten years of international commitments and countless initiatives, the global out-of-school population has decreased by a meagre one percent. The report highlights a chronic under-investment in education, especially in low and lower-middle-income countries, as a primary reason for this stagnation. This is more than just a statistic — it reflects a profound gap in global priorities and a failure to uphold the fundamental right to education for millions of children.
In our country, the situation underscores severity of the problem. With a young population of 71 million children aged five to sixteen, the country faces daunting reality that 36 percent — approximately 25.3 million — of these children are out of school. The figures are particularly troubling for girls, who make up 53 percent of this out-of-school population compared to 47 percent for boys.
These statistics reflect not just a lack of resources but also deep-rooted social and economic barriers that prevent children, particularly girls, from accessing quality education. Relying solely on conventional strategies like enrolment drives will not suffice. While campaigns to boost enrolment have value, they fall short of addressing the underlying factors that contribute to our high rates of out-of-school children (OOSC).
Poverty, inadequate school facilities, child labour, early marriage and cultural biases are just some of the obstacles that prevent children from staying in school. Unless we tackle these root causes, we risk perpetuating the cycle of educational exclusion and undermining Pakistan’s future. Addressing the complexity of the OOSC issue requires data-driven insights and a system for tracking progress to enable accountability and adaptability. Education policy must be informed by specific, localised data that can guide targeted interventions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. To break the cycle of educational exclusion, we need to re-imagine educational policies and strategies.
This means mobilising resources effectively, using data to guide decisions, and fostering partnerships with private sector, international organisations and local communities. Additionally, global community has a responsibility to support countries like Pakistan through technical assistance, capacity building and financial aid. Every child who gains access to education contributes to a more stable, prosperous world.
