Punjab faces a concerning decline in the enrollment of children in government schools, with a staggering 140,000 students dropping out, according to recent data.

Rahim Yar Khan emerges as the hardest-hit region, contributing significantly to this disconcerting trend, with 27,000 students discontinuing their education. Additionally, 9,000 students left schools in DG Khan, and 4,000 in Lodhra.

The educational crisis extends to Lahore, where a notable decrease of 24,000 students in school enrollment has been recorded. Rawalpindi and Faisalabad report 7,000 and 9,000 students dropping out, respectively, further highlighting the widespread impact.

Other regions grappling with a substantial dropout include Toba Tek Singh and Bakhar, with 4,000 and 3,000 students leaving school, respectively. Chakwal, Multan, and Muzaffargarh also witness a concerning exodus of 6,000 students. Sargodha and Vihari are not exempt from this trend, with 3,000 students discontinuing their education.

In response to this concerning situation, the School Education Department has issued directives to all relevant authorities, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the enrollment crisis.

Despite the challenging circumstances, this year had set a target of enrolling 535,000 new students, highlighting the imperative for concerted efforts to reverse the current trend and ensure continued access to education for all children in Punjab.