Pakistan Risks ‘Losing a Generation’ as Global Education Aid Shrinks

Pakistan’s education crisis is at breaking point with 22 million children out of school, as UNICEF warns of shrinking global education aid that could push millions more worldwide into learning deprivation.

The Pakistan Institute of Education reports that nearly 38 per cent of school-age children remain unenrolled. Balochistan tops the list with 69 per cent, followed by Sindh at 44 per cent, KP at 34 per cent, and Punjab at 27 per cent.

Globally, UNICEF projects aid for education could drop by 24 per cent to $3.2 billion by 2026, pushing an additional six million children out of classrooms. UNICEF chief Catherine Russell cautioned that every dollar cut represents a child’s stolen future.

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Pakistan’s government had pledged to end the out-of-school crisis by 2025, but progress is minimal. Education spending remains stuck at 1.7 per cent of GDP, far below international benchmarks. Analysts point to corruption, ghost schools, poor monitoring, and political interference as the main hurdles.

Floods, insecurity, and poverty further compound the problem, especially for girls who already make up the majority of out-of-school children. “Girls face a triple burden of safety, distance, and discrimination,” noted activist Farzana Bari.

International agencies including UNICEF, UNESCO, and Save the Children have jointly warned that Pakistan risks “losing an entire generation” if immediate action is not taken.