Islamabad:
There has been a 20% increase in registrations in the non-formal education sector of Pakistan, according to the statistical report of non-formal education (NFE) 2023-24.
The document has been published by the Institute of Education of Pakistan (Pie).
Non -formal education has been described as a “second chance model” that is profitable, flexible and based on the community. The monthly cost per child varies between RS 1,000 and RS1,500, considerably lower than the expenses of formal educational systems.
The annual report presented a detailed snapshot of the country’s non -formal learning landscape, highlighting both the achievements and the persistent gaps. The number of non -formal education centers throughout the country has reached 35,427, which serves more than 1.29 million students, reflecting a 20% increase in registration compared to the previous year.
The report indicates that in 2023-24, inscriptions in non-formal education centers grew by 20%, and 57% of students are girls, marking a promising step towards gender parity. The teachers represent 82% of the workforce, which demonstrates a strong female participation in the non -formal education system.
A total of 3,382 adult literacy centers are currently operating, serving 80,093 students, indicating a growing approach to youth literacy and adults. In addition, 10,181 refugee children, mainly from Afghanistan, are registered in NFE programs. Innovative models such as ALP (Middle-Tech) have been introduced, integrating academic and vocational skills to improve retention and results.
Despite the progress, the report highlights the substantial regional disparities, particularly in registration rates in remote and unattended areas. According to Pakistan’s economic survey, female literacy remains significantly lower than male literacy, especially in the rural areas of Baluchistan, where only 31% of women are literate. The Last UN Report is located in Pakistan 164 of 193 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), and 144 of 173 in the Human Capital Index (HCI), being education a key factor that contributes.
Among the key recommendations of the report is the expansion of ALP programs, particularly the Middle Technology Model, which has a 70%completion rate.
