**Experts Advocate Non-Formal Education to Combat Illiteracy in Pakistan**
Educational experts, policy advisors, and civil society representatives have highlighted the urgent need for non-formal education strategies to address the millions of illiterate children and adults in Pakistan. The stakeholders emphasized that only through adaptable, non-traditional teaching methods can literacy goals be achieved, especially considering the current challenges faced by the country’s formal education system.
The recommendations were put forward during a policy dialogue organized by the Private Schools Network Islamabad. Participants urged the federal Ministry of Education to consult all relevant stakeholders in making the draft Non-Formal Education Policy practical and effective. They pointed out that since the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the 2009 Education Policy, a lack of coordination between federal and provincial authorities has contributed to the growing number of out-of-school children. Attendees also criticized bureaucratic procedures, describing them as ineffective and ambiguous, which, they argued, impede progress towards both national and international educational targets.
Participants agreed to share their policy suggestions with the federal Ministry of Education, parliamentary standing committees, local and international donors focused on non-formal education, and investors in the education sector. The event was attended by a wide range of educational professionals and experts, including Dr. Muhammad Afzal Babar (host and President, Private Schools Network), Dr. Muhammad Saleem, Arshad Saeed Khan, Dr. Tariq Mehmood, Dr. Abdur Rauf Bhutta, Muhammad Iqbal ur Rehman, Professor Abdul Waheed Mir, Muhammad Zulfiqar Noon, Qamarul Islam, Almas Ayub Sabir, Dr. Muhammad Moazzam, Haji Abdul Nadeem Mughal, Maqbool Hussain Dar, Hafiz Saeed ur Rahman Tahir, Abdul Waheed Khan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Ghulam Shabbir, Yasmin Masood, and Haider Sheesh Mahal.
Online participants included Professor Dr. Samia Rehman Dogar (Director, Federal College of Education), Professor Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Chaudhry (Chairman, Non-Formal and Literacy Department at Allama Iqbal Open University and Roshan Pakistan), and Syed Tajammul Hussain Shah (former Senior Officer, Ministry of Education), who also contributed their recommendations.
The consensus among stakeholders is clear: comprehensive consultation and innovative approaches in non-formal education are essential to reverse the rising trend of illiteracy and to ensure universal access to education across Pakistan.
