In 2018, Alight launched an ambitious initiative to enroll more than one million out-of-school children in Pakistan. With a staggering 5.6 million unenrolled children—the second largest in the world—the country was in dire need of change.
70% of all of Pakistan’s children have never attended school. As they grow older, the likelihood of them staying in school diminishes drastically, with most dropping out by high school.
Several factors contribute to this educational crisis. Many children are needed at home for work or to care for family members, and the rigid formal education system often fails to accommodate their needs. Financial barriers such as the cost of uniforms, school supplies, and fees, along with parental disinterest or lack of understanding of education’s value, further exacerbate the issue. Additionally, the distance to the nearest school can be prohibitive for many families.
In response, Alight partnered with Qatar's Education Above All Foundation, signing an agreement to support Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. This collaboration made the country the largest recipient of Qatar's commitment to educate 10 million children worldwide.
Over the next three years, Alight and Education Above All worked closely to reach and enroll children in quality primary education. Our efforts included engaging with local communities, educating parents, constructing new schools, training teachers, and designing practical solutions tailored to local needs.
We established 233 non-formal/community schools offering a flexible alternative option to those unable to join mainstream schools, and we upgraded 4,266 existing public schools, increasing their capacity to accept more students.
