Schools Dropout: A Persisting Challenge

Muhammad Atif Ismail

Multan: The persistent political turmoil and uncertainty in Pakistan has placed the future of millions of students at risk, with education remaining one of the least prioritized sectors by previous governments.

Economic hardships, an outdated education system, and the widening gap between education and employment opportunities continue to aggravate the situation.

According to an official report by the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the number of student dropouts in Pakistan has risen to millions, with children aged 8 to 15 being the most affected.

The dropout rate among this age group is particularly alarming. Without immediate intervention, this issue threatens to deprive countless children of a brighter future, ultimately impeding the country’s overall development.

Poverty & Education Costs

Iqbal Watto, Principal of a well-known educational institute in South Punjab, attributes the high dropout rates to poverty. “Many parents cannot afford the cost of education for their children. For families struggling to make ends meet, education becomes a distant priority,” he stated.

Watto also highlighted that the traditional education system fails to prepare students for both local and international job markets, offering limited economic returns.

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“Even medical graduates, such as MBBS doctors, are struggling to find jobs in the public sector. Thousands remain unemployed despite higher education, which discourages families from investing in their children’s education,” he added.

Due to these economic constraints, many families opt to withdraw their children from school and train them in traditional trades such as mechanics, masonry, and electrical work. Some families even shift their children to entrepreneurial ventures after matriculation, believing that business offers better prospects than formal education.

Watto criticized the lack of long-term planning in the education sector, which has led to oversaturation in fields like medicine and engineering. He emphasized the need for strategic planning to align education with the job market. 

“With the IT sector emerging as a lucrative field, admissions in computer science programs have skyrocketed. We need a forward-thinking approach for students who will complete their education in the next five to ten years,” he suggested.

Economic Hardship in South Punjab

Educationist Munir Akbar pointed out that economic hardship is a significant driver of dropout rates in regions like South Punjab, where poverty is rampant. “Parents struggling to make ends meet are often unable to afford education costs, sending their children to work instead, which traps them in a cycle of illiteracy and economic struggle,” he said.

Akbar also stressed the importance of female education, noting that educated mothers are more likely to create a learning environment for their children. He lamented the commercialization of education, which has turned a once missionary profession into a business venture for financial gain, placing additional strain on middle and lower-middle-class families.

Cultural Barriers 

Educationists Kamran Sial and Shoukat Hayat identified cultural norms and the communication gap between teachers and parents as contributing factors to the rising dropout rate. They emphasized the need for a multi-pronged strategy that includes improving the competence of teaching staff and updating curricula in government schools.

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Fuad Hashim Rabbani, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) at the South Punjab Secretariat, shared that the government has initiated programs to increase enrollment under the “Zero Out of School Children” project. 

“We launched a pilot project in Layyah district, where 6,000 out-of-school children were successfully identified. Plans are now being implemented to bring these children back into the education system through collaboration with schools, local authorities, and NGOs,” Rabbani explained.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child has access to education despite numerous challenges.

Technical Education

Deputy Secretary Schools South Punjab, Khawaja Mazhar ul Haq, emphasized raising societal awareness about the benefits of education. He suggested introducing short technical courses to equip youth with skills for early employment. “Teaching students practical skills today will lead to a better-educated generation tomorrow,” he remarked.

Mazhar also revealed plans by the Punjab government to introduce “Middle-Tech” and “Matric-Tech” programs, aimed at integrating technical skills with traditional education. This, he believes, will increase enrollment and make education more relevant and beneficial for students by preparing them for the job market.

Addressing the dropout crisis requires connecting traditional education with practical skills to make it more relevant and financially rewarding for students and their families.

As the government works to tackle these challenges, a comprehensive, long-term strategy is essential to ensure a brighter future for Pakistan’s children.