Editing Literacy (section)

====Pakistan====
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}
In [[Pakistan]], the [[National Commission for Human Development]] aims to bring literacy to adults, especially women. While speaking at a function held in connection with [[International Literacy Day]], Islamabad Director Kozue Kay Nagata said:

{{blockquote|Illiteracy in Pakistan has fallen over two decades, thanks to the government and people of Pakistan for their efforts working toward meeting the [[Millennium Development Goals]]. Today, 70 percent of Pakistani youths can read and write. In 20 years, illiterate population has been reduced significantly.}}

She also emphasized the need to do more to improve literacy in the country, saying:
{{blockquote|The proportion of population in Pakistan lacking basic reading and writing is too high. This is a serious obstacle for individual fulfillment, to the development of societies, and to mutual understanding between peoples.}}

Referring to the recent national survey carried out by the Ministry of Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education with the support of UNESCO, [[UNICEF]], and provincial and area departments of education, Nagata pointed out that in Pakistan, although 70% of children finish primary school, a gender gap still exists as 68% of girls finish compared to 71% of boys.

Referring specifically to [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], she said that while the primary school completion rate is higher at 76%, there is a gender gap of 8 percentage points: 72% of girls compared to 80% for boys. She also noted that the average cost per primary school student (ages five–nine) was higher in Punjab at Rs 6,998 (approximately US$24 or €22.5).

In [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]], although almost the same amount (Rs 6,985) is spent per child as in Punjab, the primary school completion rate is only 53%: 54% for girls and 52% for boys.

The Literate Pakistan Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2003, is a case study bringing to light solutions for improving literacy rates in Pakistan. Their data shows that in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], the primary school completion rate is 67%, which is lower than the national average of 70%. Furthermore, a gender gap exists, with only 65% of girls completing primary school compared to 68% of boys. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the education expenditure per student at the primary school level (age five–nine) is Rs 8,638 ($30, €28).

In [[Sindh]], the primary school completion rate is 63%, with a gender gap of 67% of girls completing primary school compared to 60% of boys.{{Clarify|date=September 2023|reason=Are these rates reversed?}} In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the education expenditure per student at the primary school level (age five–nine) is Rs 5,019 ($17.50, €16.50).

Nagata, referencing the report, said that the most common reason for children ages 10–18 (both boys and girls) leaving school is "the child [is] not willing to go to school", which may be related to quality and learning outcome. She added that the second-highest reason for girls living in rural communities dropping out is that their "parents did not allow" them to continue school, which might be related to prejudice and cultural norms surrounding girls.