Over 25.3 Million Children Out of School in Pakistan, Including 2.9 Million in Balochistan: Report

**Quetta:** A new report by the Pakistan Institute of Education for the year 2023–24 has revealed alarming challenges facing Pakistan’s education system, stating that 25.3 million children across the country are out of school.

According to the report, 13.4 million of these out-of-school children are girls, highlighting a significant gender gap in access to education. In Balochistan alone, 2.9 million children are deprived of schooling.

Punjab tops the list with 9.6 million out-of-school children, followed by Sindh with 7.8 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 4.9 million, and Balochistan with 2.9 million. In Islamabad, approximately 90,000 children are reported to be out of school.

The report also underscores the declining student retention rate in the education system. Out of more than 20 million students enrolled at the primary level, only 718,000 manage to reach university level, reflecting a steep dropout rate over the years.

Education experts warn that without urgent policy reforms, increased funding, and targeted interventions—particularly for girls and marginalized regions—the country risks long-term socio-economic consequences.