Girls' Education in Pakistan: Progress Made, Challenges Remain

August 28, 2024

A newly released report, "Girls Education in Pakistan: Statistics & Trends for 2022-23," highlights progress and ongoing challenges in girls' education. Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was the Chief Guest at the launching ceremony held at Allama Iqbal Open University's auditorium. According to the report, while approximately 21 million girls were enrolled in educational institutions across the country in the past year, this figure still needs to catch up to the 25 million boys enrolled.

In his keynote remarks, Minister Siddiqui lauded the efforts behind the report and emphasized the crucial role girls play in the nation's educational achievements. He pointed out that girls consistently perform well academically, even in the face of limited resources. The Minister called for continued efforts to empower young girls, emphasizing that education is a fundamental right in Islam, which mandates equal opportunities for both genders.

The report, a collaborative effort by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) and the (PAGE), highlights the persistent gender gap in Pakistan's education system.

Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education

One of the report's most concerning revelations is that 13.71 million girls remain out of school, showing a gender gap where girls are 7% less likely to attend school than boys. This statistic reflects deep-seated societal challenges that continue to hinder girls' access to education despite ongoing efforts to bridge the gap.

The report also brings to light the stark imbalance in the distribution of educational institutions across the country. Out of 238,718 institutions, only 28% cater specifically to girls, while 41% are for boys, and 31% are co-educational. This imbalance is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed, particularly in rural areas where dedicated girls' schools are scarce, limiting opportunities for girls.