EDITORIAL: The launch of the “No Child Left Behind” campaign by the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training is a much-needed step toward addressing one of the country’s gravest social challenges: the staggering number of out-of-school children (OOSC).
With an estimated 26.2 million children out of school nationwide and around 89,000 officially recorded in the Islamabad Capital Territory alone, the scale of crisis is nothing short of alarming.
The true figure, many believe, may be even higher. Against this backdrop, the government’s decision to conduct household surveys across every union council in Islamabad represents a serious and welcome attempt to confront the issue.
Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui reaffirmed the state’s commitment to Article 25-A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 16. While this constitutional promise has existed for over five decades, implementation has lagged far behind intent.
The proposed union council-wise “carpet coverage” model—ensuring that no household is left unvisited—is an important step in the right direction.
Many out-of-school children remain invisible in official records, particularly those engaged in child labour, domestic work, or living in underdeveloped areas. A door-to-door approach could help reveal the true magnitude of the problem and create a reliable database for targeted interventions.
However, identification alone will not resolve the crisis-like situation. The reasons children remain out of school are deeply rooted in structural inequalities. Extreme poverty forces families to prioritise immediate survival over education. In many low-income households, a child’s income—however meagre—contributes to daily sustenance.
Gender inequality further compounds the challenge: with 53 percent of OOSC being girls, cultural norms, safety concerns, and early marriage continue to restrict educational access. Without addressing these socioeconomic barriers, enrolment drives risk becoming short-lived successes.
In this regard, the campaign’s emphasis on linking education with skills development is a pragmatic approach. When parents see a clear pathway from schooling to employable skills and improved livelihood prospects, they are more likely to send their children to learning centres.
Collaboration with organisations such as the National Commission for Human Development and the Japan International Cooperation Agency adds credibility and technical expertise, increasing the likelihood of sustained implementation.
Yet significant challenges remain. Enrolment must be matched by retention and quality.
Many public sector schools struggle with inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages and absenteeism, and inconsistent standards. Sustained political will and adequate funding will therefore be critical. Education reforms often falter when initial enthusiasm gives way to bureaucratic inertia or shifting priorities.
If implemented effectively, with continuous monitoring and genuine community engagement, this initiative could serve as a model for the provinces and other regions.
However, the true measure of success will not lie in survey completion or enrolment figures alone, but in whether these children stay in school, receive quality education, and gain meaningful opportunities to break the cycle of poverty.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026