Search

Population, poverty and gender are the three interconnected factors, playing significant role in access to basic education. The size of population, its growth rate and composition has created adverse effects on the economic development and consequently opened the flood gate for illiteracy and extreme poverty across the country. Whilst the role of education as a catalyst in eliminating poverty and inequality from society has been widely recognized correlated with economic growth, sound governance and institutional effectiveness, poverty is still a foremost out of school factor contributing to illiteracy. Disparity in access to education among populations and groups exists due to numerous demographic, social, and cultural factors and gender is the dominating factor. Whereas Pakistan has initiated for gender equality and women's empowerment particularly in education, the situation is far missing and 60 % of the Pakistan's female population over the age of 15 are illiterate. Large family size, extreme poverty, unemployment, and mobility issues, coupling with deep-rooted religious and cultural beliefs are the major barriers to girl's education in Pakistan. While the over population, extreme poverty and the gender discrimination prevailing in the Pakistani society, demands for the enhanced budgetary allocation in education sector, the financial provisions for education in Pakistan is the lowest among regional countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]