In 2023, Pakistan had approximately 26.2 million out-of-school children (OOSC) aged 5-16, up from 23 million due to the impacts of COVID-19 and severe floods. Non-Formal Education (NFE) has been critical in addressing this crisis through flexible and innovative learning models like Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs), which focus on primary, middle, and vocational levels. A recent “ZERO OOSC Campaign” in Islamabad, supported by NGOs and international partners, successfully enrolled 75,000 out of 87,000 identified OOSC within six months. NFE centers, primarily co-educational, have expanded significantly, with 84% female teachers, but gaps remain, particularly in adult literacy where enrollment dropped. The report highlights the need to scale NFE initiatives, especially ALPs, to boost retention rates and address the 67 million illiterate youth and adults in Pakistan, urging investment in hybrid learning models and vocational skills integration.
Read the full report here: PAKISTAN NON-FORMAL EDUCATION ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT 2022-23