akistan is faced with a severe challenge. 22.8 million children aged 5–16, an alarming 44 per cent of this age group, are currently out of school, according to the UNICEF. Despite the constitutional guarantee under Article 25-A, which pledges free and compulsory education, systemic challenges continue to deny millions access to learning. This is particularly true of girls and children in rural areas. The obstacles are complex, rooted in societal constraints and inadequate infrastructure. Gender disparities are particularly troubling, with only 13 percent of girls progressing to ninth grade, Human Rights Watch reports. In regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where 30 percent of schools lack drinking water supply and nearly half lack functional toilets for girls, the situation is dire. These deficiencies discourage attendance and perpetuate a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for marginalised communities.

While National Education Policy outlines ambitious goals, the reality on the ground often falls short due to systemic inefficiencies. Provincial initiatives, such as the Punjab’s education monitoring systems and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s curriculum standardization, have shown potential, but a lack of consistent implementation undermines their effectiveness. Public expenditure of education, at approximately 2 per cent of GDP, is far below the UNESCO-recommended 4-6 percent. This chronic under-funding hinders progress, leaving public schools ill-equipped to deliver quality education. According to Dr Ayesha Khalid, an education policy expert, “Well-drafted policies mean little without accountability and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.”

In this challenging landscape, public-private partnerships have emerged as a promising solution. Programmes like the Punjab Education Foundation and Sindh Education Foundation have successfully expanded access to education by subsidising private schools to provide free education to underserved communities. These partnerships have reached thousands of students in areas where public schools are either absent or dysfunctional. However, according to the World Bank, these partnerships face challenges stemming from the varied nature of inputs, processes and outputs. Reliance on multiple contracts for management, support, operations and infrastructure often means that the dollars spent may not always deliver optimal benefits for students.

Non-governmental institutions play a vital role in bridging educational gaps. Human Concern International, a Canada-based humanitarian organization, is one such contributor in Pakistan. In 2023, the organisation supported over 5,963 marginalised beneficiaries, including Afghan refugees, rural students, girls and children with disabilities, through programmss meant to enhance access, quality and sustainability of education.

Key initiatives include Hope Village in Akora Khattak, serving 690 Afghan refugee boys and partnerships with READ Foundation in Bhimber. To reduce gender disparities, the HCI is building a school in Umerkot to educate 600 girls from low-income families and empower the community.

Collaboration with Deaf Reach in Hyderabad and Sukkur are benefiting rural students and nearly 200 deaf children.

Education is the foundation for empowering future generations to break free from poverty and build better lives. Whether it’s a young girl gaining access to education or a refugee boy rebuilding his future, transformative power of learning is quite apparent.

In November, Muhammad Amin, a deaf student from Hyderabad, achieved an extraordinary milestone by securing second place in the Hyderabad Board Matric exams competing against 2,200 candidates from mainstream schools across nine districts. Kainat Sadat, who is deaf, has been hired by a leading bank and is doing well. Their achievements reflect findings from the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education that deaf students, when provided with quality education and resources, can perform academically on a par with their hearing peers. Yet, Muhammad and Kainat’s access to education remains an exception in Pakistan as countless deaf children are still denied similar opportunities.

Iftikhar Ahmed, the global director of programmes at Human Concern International, says that “Education is the most powerful tool to combat poverty. Key focus should be creating comprehensive education and livelihood initiatives that empower the most vulnerable, including girls, refugees and individuals with disabilities.” The transformative impact of these initiatives extends beyond numbers. Recognising the importance of quality teaching, the HCI has trained 600 teachers through its continuous professional development programmes, enhancing education across 30 schools. These programmes emphasise the importance of einvesting in teachers, he says.

Educationist Saima Gul says that access to essential facilities such as electricity and clean water at the schools is important. She says technology and practical lab experiences such as computer labs and science labs remains a significant challenge in schools serving underprivileged areas. These resources are critical for providing students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for real-world opportunities. Without these foundational tools, schools struggle to provide a comprehensive educational experience, leaving students at a disadvantage in an increasingly digital and technology-driven world.

Education is the foundation for empowering future generations to break free from poverty and build better lives. Whether it’s a girl gaining access to education or a refugee boy rebuilding his future, transformative power of learning is quite apparent.

Student enrollment in Pakistan has shown a positive upward trend in recent years, reflecting efforts to expand access to education and address systemic gaps. The public sector now serves approximately 28.49 million students, accounting for 56 percent of total enrollments. The private sector educates around 22.70 million students, or 44 percent. Despite the gain, challenges persist in achieving equitable and quality education for all. Issues such as inadequate infrastructure, urban-rural disparities and resource constraints remain significant barriers. With sustained investment and strategic policy focus, Pakistan can build on these advancements to create a more inclusive and impactful education system, empowering future generations to thrive.

The combined efforts of non-government institutions and public private partnerships are bridging critical gaps in Pakistan’s education system, offering a lifeline to underserved communities and paving the way for a more equitable education system. As one expert puts it, “Education is not just a right—it is a lifeline.” With sustained commitment and innovative solutions, Pakistan can turn its education crisis into an opportunity for transformative national progress.

The writer is a staff reporter at The News. He tweets @Jawwadrizvi