ISLAMABAD: The dropout and enrollment rate remained a major challenge during 2015-16, as there are an estimated 44 per cent children in Pakistan between ages of 5-16, who are still out of schools.
Pakistan Education Statistics 2015-16 Report released the other day made startling revelations.
According to the report, there are an estimated 51.2 million children between the age of 5-16 of which 28.5 million are in schools, while 22.6 million are out of schools.
In relative term, the province of Balochistan is home to the highest proportion of out of schools children, followed by the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA).
The report reveals that as many as 70pc children in Baluchistan and 58pc in FATA are out of schools.
The annual schools census (ASC) is a regular activity conducted every year by provincial and regional Education Management Information System (EMIS). The data is collected at district level and compiled at provincial and regional level.
According to the report, more girls are out of schools than boys: 49pc girls are out of schools compared to 40pc of boys.
Besides, the report revealed that about 21pc public sector primary schools were operating with single teacher, while 14pc public sector primary schools were operating with a single class room.
According to the report, survival rate decreased from 69pc to 6pc during 2015-16.
Among public sector primary schools, 40pc are operating without electricity, 28pc without toilet, 25pc without boundary wall, and 29pc without drinking water, the report revealed.
However, despite these startling facts, a remarkable improvement had been seen in some areas.
According to the report, out of schools children in classes 1-12 (age 5-16) decreased from 24.0 million to 22.6 million.
Besides, adjusted net enrolment rate (ANER) in primary education increased from 72pc in 2014-15 to 77pc in 2015-16, while net enrolment in primary education increased from 15.8 million in 2014-15 to 17.1 million in 2015-16.
Moreover, the report revealed that total enrolment of all sectors and level of education increased from 44.4 million in 2014-15 to 47.5 million in 2015-16.
“Availability of physical facilities in government schools improved from last year: Electricity from 56pc to 60pc, drinking water 66pc to 71pc, and boundary walls 70pc to 75pc,” the report revealed.
According to the report, enrollment in non-formal education increased from 0.782 million in 2014-15 to 1.281 million in 2015-16.
The 2015-16 report is the 24th consecutive edition of EMIS reports that have been getting published annually since 1992.
This summary report provides data on key indicators that are part of Pakistan education statistics report 2105-16.
