Private schools in Islamabad have reportedly been failing to adhere to the mandatory 10 per cent scholarship quota for low-income students as required by the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2012. This violation has led to these educational institutions earning an estimated five to six billion Pakistani Rupees annually, according to documents presented to the Islamabad High Court. The introduction of the scholarship quota aimed to provide academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities to transform their lives for future generations, as highlighted in an editorial from The Express Tribune.
At least 38,900 students are believed to have been denied this educational right due to the non-compliance of private schools. The editorial emphasized the need for legal actions against these entities to prevent a further increase in the number of affected students. It also stressed the importance of not only enforcing the scholarship quota but also ensuring that these institutions return any unlawfully obtained funds and compensate students who missed out on crucial educational chances.
Recent data disclosed that around 28 per cent of children aged 5-16 in Pakistan are not attending school, with a notable gender disparity where 34 per cent of girls are out of school compared to 22 per cent of boys. Particularly in rural areas, girls face higher exclusion rates from education, underscoring the impact of gender and geographic factors on educational access.
According to a report referencing the HIES survey by Gallup Pakistan, two-thirds of Pakistanis aged 10 and above have had some schooling experience, indicating significant educational inequalities in the country. Pakistan’s overall literacy rate stands at 63 per cent, with male literacy at 73 per cent and female literacy at 52 per cent. Urban literacy rates are notably higher at 77 per cent compared to 56 per cent in rural areas. While primary school enrollment is at 68 per cent, the percentage decreases sharply in higher education levels, with only 40 per cent in middle school and around 30 per cent in matriculation.
The declining trend of students continuing their education underscores the obstacles faced by many, especially in rural and disadvantaged areas, including safety concerns, distance to schools, and increasing opportunity costs as children grow older, particularly affecting rural girls. Financial constraints, household duties, and limited post-primary educational options further contribute to the discontinuation of schooling among children, with additional challenges for girls due to societal expectations and early marriages.
