Punjab Out-of-School Children Rise to 9.6 Million, Assembly Told
More than 9.6 million Punjab out-of-school children remain outside the education system, the Punjab Assembly was informed on Tuesday. The School Education Department submitted the latest figures in response to a question from opposition lawmaker Ahmar Rasheed Bhatti. Officials based the data on the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Census 2023. They also highlighted ongoing efforts to increase school enrollment across the province.
Census data shows major education challenge
The School Education Department reported that 9.6 million children between the ages of five and 16 do not attend school. Officials described the situation as one of Punjab’s biggest education challenges. They said the province needs stronger efforts to improve access to education. In addition, the report showed that Punjab contributes a large share of the country’s out-of-school population.
According to the department, 30 Punjab tehsils rank among the country’s 45 tehsils with the highest number of out-of-school children. Therefore, these districts require special attention and targeted policies. Officials believe better planning can help increase enrollment and reduce dropout rates. They also stressed the importance of cooperation between schools, parents and local communities.
Government expands enrollment campaign
The School Education Department said it continues to encourage children to return to classrooms. For example, it has launched the School Enrollment Campaign and several other awareness programmes across Punjab. These initiatives motivate parents to enroll their children and support regular school attendance.
Officials said the department will continue working with district administrations, teachers and community leaders. Moreover, they plan to identify barriers that prevent children from attending school. Education experts believe improved facilities, qualified teachers and public awareness can boost enrollment. They also called for sustained investment in public education. As a result, authorities hope to reduce the number of out-of-school children and ensure every child receives quality education. The department said it will keep monitoring progress and strengthen future enrollment drives across Punjab.
