Islamabad, Mar 19: Pakistan continues to face deep-rooted inequalities in its education system, with nearly 28 per cent of children aged 5 to 16 still out of school and girls disproportionately affected, according to recent estimates.
Data indicates that around 34 per cent of girls are not enrolled in school compared to 22 per cent of boys, underscoring a persistent gender gap that is more pronounced in rural areas.
While nearly two-thirds of the population aged 10 and above have attended school at some point, access to education remains uneven across the country.Pakistan’s overall literacy rate stands at about 63 per cent, with a significant disparity between male literacy at 73 per cent and female literacy at 52 per cent.
Urban areas perform better, recording a literacy rate of 77 per cent, while rural regions lag behind at 56 per cent.Enrolment figures show that about 68 per cent of children are enrolled at the primary level.
However, participation drops sharply at higher stages of education. Only around 40 per cent of students reach middle school, and nearly 30 per cent continue to the matriculation level.
Experts say the transition from primary to middle school remains a critical point where many students drop out. Financial constraints, household responsibilities and limited access to secondary schools are among the key factors contributing to this trend.
For girls, these challenges are further intensified by social and cultural barriers, which continue to restrict educational opportunities in several parts of the country.
The findings highlight that despite progress in enrolment, structural inequalities linked to gender, geography and economic conditions continue to hinder access to quality education.
Education experts have called for policy measures focused on improving retention, reducing gender disparities and strengthening infrastructure to ensure equitable access to education across Pakistan.
