As the world marches forward into the age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement, Pakistan faces a heartbreaking paradox — more than 25 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 are not attending school. This figure, revealed in a sobering joint report by the Pakistan Institute of Education, the Ministry of Education, and Japan’s JICA, paints a dire picture of the country’s ongoing education crisis.

This alarming statistic exposes the longstanding failures of Pakistan’s educational infrastructure and undermines decades of political promises and international pledges toward achieving universal education. It is not just a number — it represents an entire generation being left behind in a world that increasingly rewards knowledge and innovation.

The report, titled Pakistan’s Non-Formal Education Report 2023-24, doesn’t introduce a new crisis, but rather highlights the chronic neglect and systemic inequities that have plagued the education sector for decades. Despite scattered initiatives like Daanish Schools, Parha Likha Punjab scholarships, and enrollment stipends, efforts have largely been disjointed and inconsistent, falling short of addressing the scale of the problem.

One of the core reasons for this persistent crisis is the lack of political urgency. Even after the devolution of education responsibilities under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, no province has declared an education emergency. Where there was intent, budgetary constraints held back action; where there was funding, poor planning squandered potential. Consequently, Pakistan’s literacy rate stagnates around 60%, showing little progress over the last two decades.

While non-governmental organizations and private players have stepped in to fill the gaps — particularly through non-formal education centers and accelerated learning programs — these efforts remain stopgaps rather than solutions. They may temporarily ease the pressure, but they cannot replace the need for a robust, inclusive formal education system that offers continuity, quality, and equal access.

A particularly concerning aspect of the crisis is the continued marginalization of girls in education. Despite increasing global recognition of women’s critical role in economic development, millions of Pakistani girls remain out of school. Cultural, logistical, and security barriers persist, and unless dismantled through targeted government policy, these obstacles will continue to limit both female potential and national growth.

Encouragingly, the government is preparing a Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025 and a National Action Plan. However, these plans must be more than paperwork. They require genuine political commitment, sustainable funding, and grassroots-level reform to be effective. Structural inequalities must be tackled head-on, and the state must actively work to change the perception of education as a privilege to what it truly is — a fundamental right.

If these 25 million children are left behind, Pakistan isn’t just risking the futures of individuals — it is endangering its own progress, prosperity, and global relevance. The challenge is immense, but so is the cost of inaction.