Girls in Pakistan more likely to miss education as 28% children remain out of schools

ISLAMABAD: A significant gender gap persists in Pakistan's education sector, with girls facing a higher likelihood of being deprived of schooling, as approximately 28 per cent of children across the country remain out of schools, according to a recent survey.

Survey highlights stark disparities

The survey offers a detailed overview of the country's education landscape, revealing deep-rooted inequalities between urban and rural areas as well as between genders. The data shows that urban literacy stands at 77 per cent, significantly outpacing the rural literacy rate of 56 per cent — a gap of 21 percentage points that underscores the uneven distribution of educational resources and opportunities across the country.

The findings indicate that girls are disproportionately affected by the education crisis, with female children being more likely than their male counterparts to miss out on formal education altogether. The 28 per cent figure for out-of-school children represents millions of young Pakistanis who lack access to basic education, with girls making up a larger share of this population.

Education experts weigh in

Education experts have noted that the figures highlighted in the survey point to broader structural issues within Pakistan's education system. The disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as between boys and girls, reflect systemic challenges that go beyond mere enrollment numbers.

The rural-urban divide in literacy rates remains one of the most telling indicators of the challenges facing Pakistan's education sector. With rural literacy lagging more than 20 percentage points behind urban areas, communities in less developed regions continue to face significant barriers to accessing quality education.

A persistent challenge

The high proportion of out-of-school children, particularly among girls, continues to be a pressing concern for the country. The survey's findings paint a picture of an education system that has yet to achieve equitable access for all children, regardless of gender or geographic location.

The gender dimension of the crisis is particularly noteworthy, as girls in Pakistan face compounding disadvantages — from cultural barriers to a lack of nearby schools and safety concerns — that contribute to their higher rates of exclusion from education.

The data serves as a reminder of the scale of work required to bring all children, especially girls and those in rural areas, into the fold of Pakistan's formal education system. Addressing the structural issues identified by education experts will be critical to narrowing the gaps that continue to define the country's education landscape.