ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s education crisis remains one of the world’s most pressing, with a staggering 25.37 million children aged 5–16 currently out of school (OOSC). The latest Pakistan Non-Formal Education Report 2023–24, launched at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), reveals how Non-Formal Education (NFE) is becoming a crucial lifeline for millions of marginalized children who cannot access traditional schooling.
The report, prepared by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Education and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), sheds light on the significant strides — and deep challenges — within the NFE sector.
Unveiled by Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the report points to worrying trends: the number of out-of-school children has risen sharply in recent years due to COVID-19 disruptions and devastating floods that wiped out thousands of classrooms, mainly in rural areas.
“Education is the backbone of any progressive society. No nation can advance without investing in its children’s learning,” Dr Siddiqui stressed while addressing officials, educators, and development partners at the launch event.
Accelerated Learning Programs: A Key Strategy
The report strongly recommends expanding Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP) — especially ALP (Middle-Tech), which blends academic and vocational skills and has shown promising retention rates of 70%. Such programs help older children who missed years of schooling to catch up and gain employable skills at the same time.
Currently, Pakistan operates 35,427 non-formal education centers serving nearly 1.3 million learners, a 20% increase in enrollment compared to last year — an encouraging sign that alternative pathways are working where formal systems fall short.
Focus on Literacy, Data, and Governance
Other key recommendations include boosting youth and adult literacy programs, addressing stark regional disparities, and improving data collection and policy coordination.
Dr Siddiqui emphasized that reliable, up-to-date data is critical for designing effective interventions. “Access, quality, and governance can only improve if we have robust data systems. Our dedicated EMIS (Education Management Information System) for non-formal education is playing an essential role in tracking progress,” he said.
He added that the government’s Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025 is in the final stages, with the ambitious goal of achieving “Zero Out-of-School Children” nationwide. The National Action Plan for Non-Formal Education 2025 is also under development to outline practical steps for bringing millions of children back into classrooms.
Women and Girls: A Priority
The minister underscored that female education remains a top priority. Many out-of-school children are girls, especially in conservative and rural communities where cultural barriers persist. “Educated women uplift entire families. They are essential to our economic growth and social well-being,” Dr Siddiqui said.
A Call for Collective Effort
Education leaders and development partners at the event hailed the report as a timely blueprint for urgent action. The Pakistan Institute of Education and the JICA-supported AQAL Project were praised for their role in compiling the findings.
Dr Siddiqui concluded by urging policymakers, provincial governments, NGOs, and communities to leverage the insights provided by the report to scale up practical solutions. “This is a national responsibility. Every child must be given the chance to learn, grow, and contribute to Pakistan’s future,” he said.
Stay connected with MEGANEWS for updates on Pakistan’s non-formal education policies, accelerated learning initiatives, and community efforts to end the out-of-school crisis.
