A recent government report in Pakistan has disclosed that 26.2 million children are still not attending school. The report, ‘Girls’ Education Statistics and Trends Report 2023-24,’ highlighted that among these children, 3.4 million are girls. The funding for education in Pakistan has decreased, with the national education share dropping from 13% to 11%, particularly in provinces like Punjab and Sindh.
The report also noted that only 19% of schools in Pakistan have digital tools, and 23% have ramps for students with disabilities. However, there is a lack of specialized assistive learning materials in these schools. Despite reasonable execution capacity in provinces, there is a worrying decline in the prioritization of education, signaling a shift in Pakistan’s educational landscape.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui announced that the primary school completion rate for girls has risen from 75% to 89%. Malnutrition remains a persistent challenge affecting students’ physical growth, including their height and weight. Recent data indicates that Pakistani households are increasingly allocating funds towards living costs rather than food and education, impacting food security and overall well-being.
