A new report released by UNICEF has raised red flags over the deteriorating state of primary education in Punjab, revealing that only 66 percent of children in the province complete primary school, while nearly 10 million remain out of the education system altogether.
The report paints a bleak picture of foundational learning, stating that just 12 percent of middle school students possess basic mathematics skills. Education experts have expressed serious concern, warning that without urgent reforms and a balance between education, skills development, and population growth, Pakistan’s education crisis could spiral further out of control.
Across the country, over 25 million children are currently out of school, the report highlights, placing Pakistan among the top nations with the highest number of out-of-school youth. In Punjab alone, the staggering number of unschooled children is now estimated at over 10 million.
Experts also criticised the unequal allocation of educational resources, pointing out that government schools receive 3.5 percent more funding than institutions under the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF), exacerbating class divides and limiting access to quality education for underprivileged children.
They stressed that the deprivation of basic education is not just a social issue, but a looming threat to national development and stability. “If we fail to act now, the widening education gap will undermine our economic future and deepen social inequalities,” one expert warned.
The report calls for an urgent overhaul of education policy, emphasizing equitable funding, improved quality standards, and targeted strategies to bring out-of-school children—particularly in rural and underserved areas—back into classrooms.