There is a severe education crisis afflicting rural Pakistan. Access to meaningful education remains alarmingly limited in many villages, where schools are scarce and often non-functional due to chronic teacher shortages and lack of basic facilities.
The situation in provinces like Balochistan highlights the depth of this crisis. Out of roughly 15,000 registered government schools in Balochistan, more than 3,600 are currently non-functional due to teacher shortages and poor infrastructure. That means nearly 24 % of schools in the province are closed, denying thousands of children access to learning. Many existing schools lack clean water, electricity, boundary walls and washrooms.
The broader national picture is equally concerning. According to the latest reports, over 25.1 million children across Pakistan are out of school, representing about 35% of school-aged children, with the majority living in rural areas. This rural-urban divide shows how limited access and severe resource shortages in villages prevent children from enrolling or continuing their education.
The consequences are long-lasting. Without access to quality education, entire generations risk being trapped in poverty and disenfranchisement, unable to compete in an increasingly knowledge-based world. Educational deprivation also deepens existing gender disparities, as girls in rural areas are disproportionately affected by closures and lack of female teachers.
It is imperative that this crisis be treated not as a routine administrative challenge but as a national emergency requiring immediate and sustained action. The government must prioritise education reform, only then can we hope to secure a literate and empowered future for all children.
Fahmeeda Ameerbaksh
Singanisar
