Islamabad, March 19: Nearly 28% of children aged 5 to 16 in Pakistan do not attend school, with girls being disproportionately affected. Local media reports indicate that 34% of girls are out of school compared to 22% of boys.
These disparities are particularly evident in rural areas, highlighting how gender and geographic factors limit access to education. According to The Express Tribune, referencing the Gallup Pakistan HIES survey, two-thirds of Pakistanis aged ten and older have attended school at some point, yet access to education remains highly unequal.
Pakistan’s national literacy rate stands at 63%, with male literacy at 73% and female literacy at just 52%. The report notes that urban literacy is at 77%, while rural literacy lags at 56%. Although 68% of children enroll in primary school, this figure drops significantly at higher education levels. Only 40% of children continue to middle school, and by the time they reach matriculation (10th grade), this number falls to around 30%.
The sharp decline in the number of students continuing their education underscores the challenges they face, especially in rural and marginalized areas. Structural barriers such as safety concerns, the distance to schools, and rising opportunity costs (such as the age of children) contribute to these issues. These obstacles are particularly pronounced for rural girls.
Economic pressures, domestic responsibilities, and limited options for education beyond primary school are the main reasons children do not continue their studies. The Express Tribune reports that social expectations and early marriage further exacerbate these challenges for girls.
According to the report, Punjab province has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan at 66%, while Sindh’s literacy rate is 61%. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a literacy rate of 55%, and Balochistan’s literacy rate is only 43%.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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