28% of Schools for Girls, 31% Co-Ed, 41% for Boys

News Desk 

Islamabad: The current distribution of educational institutions in Pakistan shows that 28 percent are exclusively for girls, 31 percent are co-educational, and 41 percent are designated for boys, cacording to a recent report by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE).

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, officially launched the PIE’s 2022-23 report on girls’ education at an event held at the Allama Iqbal Open University auditorium.

The report highlights that 21 million girls were enrolled in educational institutions last year, but challenges persist.

The PIE report outlines various measures to tackle the challenges faced in the educational sector, aiming to improve gender parity and overall educational outcomes.

In his address, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui praised the PIE report, emphasizing the critical role of girls in achieving academic success nationwide, including in Islamabad.

He highlighted the need to further empower young girls and underscored Islam’s support for equal educational opportunities for girls.

He stressed the importance of data in future global conflicts and called for effective data protection and preparation aligned with ground realities.

Siddiqui also referenced Bangladesh’s youth population, stating the need to equip Pakistan’s youth with education and skills to address global crises.

He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had declared an educational emergency based on recommendations from the Ministry of Education and Professional Training, leading to the formulation of both long-term and short-term policies.

Additional Secretary Hassan Saqlain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Pakistan. He emphasized the need for data-driven policy-making and improved infrastructure in girls’ schools to ensure equal access to quality education.

Despite progress in increasing girls’ enrollment, challenges such as gender disparity persist, necessitating collaboration with all stakeholders for a more inclusive educational environment.

Dr Muhammad Shahid Saroya, Director General of PIE, explained that the report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of girls’ education.

As of 2022-23, approximately 21 million girls were enrolled in educational institutions, compared to 25 million boys. Despite efforts to address this gap, around 13.71 million girls remain out of school, and they are 7 percent  less likely to attend school compared to boys.

The report also highlighted that 4 percent of girls’ schools lack proper buildings, 10 percent do not meet sustainable construction standards, and various infrastructure issues persist, including inadequate facilities for repairs, safety, sanitation, water, and electricity.

Dr. Saroya noted that the report aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Further investment in girls’ education is crucial for achieving these global goals and fostering a just and equitable society.

Dr Nasir Mahmood mentioned that the university is working to enroll three million out-of-school children, adding that currently, the university serves 1 million students, offering education with minimal tuition fees.