Writer : Ali Gul Leghari
Pakistan’s education system has long struggled with an alarming number of out-of-school
children. According to a 2023 report by the Pak Alliance for Maths and Science, over 25 million
children in Pakistan are not enrolled in schools, accounting for nearly 10% of the global total, as
per United Nations data. The situation has been exacerbated by successive crises, including the
COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods, which left millions of children displaced and
thousands of schools destroyed or non-functional. Sindh province, in particular, faces significant
challenges, with a high proportion of its school-aged population deprived of education.
In an attempt to combat this crisis, the Sindh government recently launched an initiative to
provide free breakfast to children in primary schools. This program, funded by international
organizations such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, aims to address two major
issues simultaneously: malnutrition and low enrollment. The project’s estimated cost is PKR 50
to 70 per child per day, and its initial phase will cover select districts, including Karachi,
Hyderabad, and Khairpur. The government envisions the program as a three-year effort to
improve attendance and attract out-of-school children to public primary schools. While the
initiative represents a significant policy shift, it raises critical questions about feasibility,
transparency, and effectiveness. Historically, similar programs in Pakistan have failed to deliver
the desired outcomes. For instance, past schemes providing biscuits and cooking oil to families
as incentives to send their children to school suffered from corruption, logistical issues, and lack
of oversight. These failures highlight the need for robust mechanisms to ensure the new
breakfast program avoids the pitfalls of its predecessors.
Pakistan’s broader education landscape underscores the magnitude of the challenge. A 2022
survey conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics revealed that the number of out-of-
school children had already reached 20 million before the twin shocks of COVID-19 and the
2022 floods. These disasters further widened the education gap, rendering many schools
unusable and leaving families unable to prioritize education. As of 2024, Sindh has more than
30,000 schools without basic facilities such as water, electricity, and toilets, and over 6,000
schools remain closed due to structural damage or teacher shortages. These grim realities are
compounded by Pakistan’s woefully inadequate education budget. In 2023, the government
allocated just 1.9% of GDP to education, far below the 4% recommended by international
experts. This underfunding directly impacts infrastructure, teacher training, and student
retention, leaving millions of children without access to quality education. Despite these
challenges, the government continues to rely on short-term solutions, such as the breakfast
program, rather than addressing the systemic issues that perpetuate educational disparities.
The breakfast initiative’s success depends on several factors, including transparency in
procurement and distribution, the nutritional quality of meals, and accessibility for children in
remote areas. Without robust monitoring and third-party audits, there is a high risk of
mismanagement and corruption. Partnerships with credible organizations and community
involvement are essential to ensuring accountability. For instance, local school committees,
comprising parents and community leaders, could play a vital role in overseeing food
distribution and reporting irregularities.
The logistical challenges of reaching remote schools also cannot be overlooked. Many villages in
Sindh are inaccessible due to poor infrastructure, making timely delivery of meals a daunting
task. Moreover, ensuring the quality and safety of food in such conditions requires stringent
standards and regular inspections. The government must allocate additional resources to
address these logistical hurdles to ensure that the program benefits the most vulnerable
children. Despite its potential benefits, the breakfast program must be evaluated against
alternative strategies that may offer more sustainable solutions. For example, the estimated
cost of PKR 50 to 70 per child per day could be reallocated as monthly cash stipends for
families. This approach would empower parents to prioritize education by purchasing uniforms,
books, and other necessities, thereby addressing one of the root causes of low enrollment.
Conditional cash transfer programs have been successfully implemented in countries like Brazil
and Mexico, significantly boosting school attendance and retention rates.
Additionally, improving physical infrastructure and teacher training should take precedence
over temporary incentives. Thousands of schools in Sindh lack basic facilities, and many remain
closed due to neglect or underfunding. Investing in modern teaching methods and digital tools
could bridge the gap in quality education, particularly in remote areas where teacher shortages
are most acute. These measures would not only attract out-of-school children but also ensure
that they receive a meaningful education once enrolled.
It is important to view the breakfast initiative within the broader context of Pakistan’s
constitutional commitment to education. Article 25-A of the Constitution guarantees free and
fair education for all children aged 5 to 16. However, this promise remains unfulfilled due to
inadequate resources, poor governance, and systemic inefficiencies. Aligning national policies
with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for universal quality education by
2030, requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses both demand and supply-side barriers.
One of the primary reasons children remain out of school in Pakistan is poverty, which forces
families to prioritize short-term survival over long-term investments in education. Cultural
norms, particularly in rural areas, further discourage school attendance, especially for girls.
Additionally, the lack of functional schools, coupled with low teacher motivation and outdated
curricula, contributes to high dropout rates. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted
approach that combines financial support for families with systemic reforms in the education
sector.
While the Sindh government’s breakfast initiative is a welcome step, it must be part of a
broader, more sustainable strategy to address the education crisis. Transparency, community
involvement, and logistical efficiency are critical to its success. However, the program alone is
unlikely to resolve the deep-rooted issues that keep millions of children out of school. By
reallocating resources toward infrastructure development, teacher training, and conditional
cash transfers, the government can create a more inclusive and effective education system.
Only by adopting a holistic approach can Pakistan hope to fulfill its constitutional and
international commitments and secure a brighter future for its children.
Ali Gul Leghari- Johi
Teacher and Writer
Member-PFUC pakistan.
@AliGulLeghari1
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