The recently unveiled Pakistan Non-Formal Education (NFE) Report 2023-24 paints a picture of both urgent need and promising progress. With an alarming 25.37 million children out of school, exacerbated by the lingering effects of COVID-19 and recent floods, the role of NFE as a vital alternative has never been more critical. This comprehensive report, a collaborative effort by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), the Ministry of Education, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is a crucial step towards evidence-based policymaking in a sector too often overlooked.A significant takeaway is the commendable 20% increase in NFE enrollment, now serving over 1.29 million learners across 35,427 centers. The fact that 57% of these learners are girls is particularly encouraging, signaling positive strides towards gender parity in education. The report rightly highlights the success of Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs), especially the Middle-Tech models, which boast impressive retention rates and equip learners with both academic and vocational skills. These programs offer a tangible pathway for reintegrating out-of-school children into the educational fabric and fostering a skilled workforce.However, the report also underscores the persistent challenges. Regional disparities, the need for enhanced adult literacy initiatives, and the ongoing demand for improved data collection and utilization remain critical areas for intervention. The fragmented nature of the NFE sector, coupled with issues like inadequate teacher training and limited resources, needs concerted attention.The unveiling of the Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025 and the National Action Plan for NFE 2025, with the ambitious goal of “Zero Out-of-School Children,” offers a beacon of hope. For these aspirations to translate into reality, sustained political will, increased investment, and robust implementation will be paramount. Beyond declarations, it is the transformation of socioeconomic barriers into educational opportunities, and a tangible prioritization of education spending that will truly shape the destiny of millions of Pakistani children. The NFE report is not just a document; it’s a call to action, urging all stakeholders to collaboratively build a more inclusive and educated Pakistan.
Beacon of hope
Published: July 13, 2025 | Updated 4 hours ago
The recently unveiled Pakistan Non-Formal Education (NFE) Report 2023-24 paints a picture of both urgent need and promising progress. With an alarming 25.37 million children out of school, exacerbated by the lingering effects of COVID-19 and recent floods, the role of NFE as a vital alternative has never been more critical. This comprehensive report, a collaborative effort by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), the Ministry of Education, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is a crucial step towards evidence-based policymaking in a sector too often overlooked.A significant takeaway is the commendable 20% increase in NFE enrollment, now serving over 1.29 million learners across 35,427 centers. The fact that 57% of these learners are girls is particularly encouraging, signaling positive strides towards gender parity in education. The report rightly highlights the success of Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs), especially the Middle-Tech models, which boast impressive retention rates and equip learners with both academic and vocational skills. These programs offer a tangible pathway for reintegrating out-of-school children into the educational fabric and fostering a skilled workforce.However, the report also underscores the persistent challenges. Regional disparities, the need for enhanced adult literacy initiatives, and the ongoing demand for improved data collection and utilization remain critical areas for intervention. The fragmented nature of the NFE sector, coupled with issues like inadequate teacher training and limited resources, needs concerted attention.The unveiling of the Federal Non-Formal Education Policy 2025 and the National Action Plan for NFE 2025, with the ambitious goal of “Zero Out-of-School Children,” offers a beacon of hope. For these aspirations to translate into reality, sustained political will, increased investment, and robust implementation will be paramount. Beyond declarations, it is the transformation of socioeconomic barriers into educational opportunities, and a tangible prioritization of education spending that will truly shape the destiny of millions of Pakistani children. The NFE report is not just a document; it’s a call to action, urging all stakeholders to collaboratively build a more inclusive and educated Pakistan.