Budget falls to 11%, only 19% schools have digital devices; girls outperform boys in NAT 2023
A ceremony was held for the publication of the PIE Girls’ Education Statistics and Trends Report 2023/24, February 26, 2026. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Statistics and Trends Report 2023-24 on Girls’ Education reveals that a total of 26.2 million children are still out of school, 13.4 million of whom are girls.
Regarding facilities for disabled students, the report revealed that 23% of schools have ramps, but fewer educational institutions provide special teaching materials or assistive devices.
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The report also mentions that 23% of teachers in girls’ schools receive training at the basic level. Only 19% of schools have digital devices. Furthermore, the education budget has decreased from 13% to 11%, and 94% of the total funds have been spent on salaries, leaving no room for development work. The number of women in higher education is approaching that of men, but their participation in employment is only 24%, representing a significant loss of human capital.
96% of schools have solid buildings, 92% have toilets and 82% have access to drinking water. The primary education completion rate for girls has increased from 75% to 89%; However, malnutrition affects children’s height and weight.
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According to the National Achievement Test (NAT) 2023, girls scored better than boys in English, Urdu/Sindhi and mathematics. In eighth grade they were also ahead in Science and Math. The report highlights that the number of schools per 1,000 children has decreased due to demographic pressure.
Expressing his opinion on the findings, Federal Minister for Education and Vocational Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that the data presented on girls’ education will serve as a basis for policy formulation. He stressed that without accurate data it is not possible to solve the problems.
“History shows that no country develops in isolation; the entire region advances together,” he stated. “After data, we must take concrete action because successful policies have always been formulated based on data.”
He said the path to preventing girls from dropping out of school can only be blocked by changing our attitudes and broadening our thinking, and that it is crucial to decide whether we treat Pakistan’s population of 140 million youth as a burden or provide them with opportunities to turn them into an asset.
“We need to start the fight against ignorance from our homes,” he added. “The state gives a girl a title or a skill, and she has the right to be allowed to move forward.”
While parents should give their daughters domestic responsibilities, they should also allow them to continue their professional work. “It is a waste of human capital to keep trained women confined to their homes.”
Siddiqui concluded by stating that serious action for girls’ education has become an urgent need and the government will use all resources for this purpose.
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The Minister of State for Education and Vocational Training, Wajiha Qamar, analyzed the highlights of the report and stated that an action plan needs to be developed.
Director General (DG) of Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), Dr. Mohammad Shahid Soroya said that the daughters of Pakistan are demonstrating their exceptional abilities in the field of education. The results of the National Achievement Test (NAT) show that when girls are provided with a conducive environment, they can outperform boys in all fields. “Our goal is to identify through data the gaps that hinder our daughters’ progress, so we can improve policymaking.”
The report was developed in collaboration between Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), Malala Fund, Pakistan Alliance for Girls’ Education (PAGE) and the Ministry of Education. The event was also attended by Federal Parliament Secretary Farah Naz Akbar, Senator Fawzia Arshad, partner representatives and education experts.
