Education emergency and out-of-school children: A case study of urban settings in Pakistan
Keywords:
Out-of-school children, urban education, dropout, Socio-Cultural BarriersAbstract
Education is constitutionally guaranteed as a fundamental right in Pakistan under Article 25-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Despite improvements in enrollment, Pakistan continues to face a significant education emergency, with approximately 26.2 million children out of school. This qualitative case study examines the socioeconomic, institutional, and gender-based barriers contributing to out-of-school children (OOSC) in the urban settings of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A total of 56 children (34 out-of-school and 22 at risk of dropout) and 26 parents participated. Data were collected using semi-structured interview questionnaires. Content validity of the instruments was established through expert review by three education researchers. A pilot study (n = 8) ensured clarity and cultural appropriateness. Reliability was strengthened through inter-coder agreement (Cohen’s κ = .81), indicating strong consistency in thematic coding. Findings reveal that household poverty, large family size, child labor, inadequate school infrastructure, and negative teacher attitudes significantly influence dropout and non-enrollment. A strong positive correlation (r = .725, p < .05) was observed between household size and the number of OOSC. Parents emphasized financial assistance and teacher training as primary solutions, while children highlighted poor teaching practices and humiliating classroom experiences. The study recommends targeted scholarships, teachers’ professional development, improved infrastructure, and community engagement programs. Limitations include a small sample size, a focus on two districts, and reliance on self-reported data. Further mixed-methods research with larger samples is recommended.
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