Pakistan’s education crisis has deepened with 25.37 million children aged 5-16 now out of school—a surge attributed to COVID-19 disruptions and devastating floods—according to the *Pakistan Non-Formal Education Report 2023-24* launched at Allama Iqbal Open University. The report, developed by the Pakistan Institute of Education with support from JICA and the Education Ministry, reveals Non-Formal Education (NFE) centers currently serve 1.29 million learners, marking a 20% enrollment increase. Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui emphasized that NFE remains a critical alternative for marginalized learners, announcing plans for a Federal NFE Policy 2025 targeting “Zero Out-of-School Children” through accelerated learning programs and teacher assessment reforms.
Key findings highlight the success of Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs), particularly middle-tech variants boasting 70% retention rates by combining academics with vocational training. The report calls for scaling these programs nationally while addressing regional disparities and improving adult literacy. With only 35,427 NFE centers operational across Pakistan, officials stressed urgent expansion to meet the staggering demand. “Quality education access hinges on robust data systems,” noted Dr. Siddiqui, praising the EMIS cell’s role in tracking NFE progress and informing policy decisions.
The government’s multipronged strategy includes developing a National NFE Action Plan 2025 and implementing standardized teacher evaluation frameworks. Notably, the report underscores gender gaps, with Minister Siddiqui emphasizing that “educated women drive national development” as Pakistan prioritizes female economic empowerment through education. Despite progress—including enhanced interprovincial coordination—challenges persist in rural accessibility and timely data collection, which the report urges stakeholders to address through technology-driven solutions.
As Pakistan races against time to achieve SDG-4 (quality education), the NFE report serves as both a roadmap and a warning. With 11% of the world’s out-of-school children residing in Pakistan, experts argue that innovative NFE models must complement formal schooling to avert a generational crisis. The Ministry’s focus on evidence-based policymaking offers hope, but success hinges on sustained funding, community engagement, and overcoming systemic barriers like child labor and cultural resistance—particularly for girls’ education in conservative regions.