The Challenge – Developments in Literacy

The Challenge

The Education Crisis in Pakistan

Did you know that Pakistan has the second highest number of out-of-school children in the world—over 26 million?

That’s nearly 4 in 10 school-age children missing from classrooms. And for those who do attend, school doesn’t always lead to learning. National assessments show that 80% of 10-year-olds cannot read a basic story, and most children struggle to master foundational math and science.

Girls are most at risk

This crisis hits girls hardest. In many communities, they face additional barriers: unsafe commutes to school, early marriage pressures, and cultural resistance to their education. Even when they enroll, girls are more likely to drop out early—cutting off their path to independence, well-being, and opportunity.

Barriers go beyond access

The problem isn’t just getting children into school, it’s ensuring they learn once they are there. Many public schools in Pakistan face severe resource gaps: limited learning materials, unreliable electricity, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate sanitation. Teachers often lack the tools and support they need for effective teaching. Economic hardship, political instability, and climate-related disasters like floods and heatwaves further disrupt learning across entire regions.

A generation at risk

The stakes are too high to ignore. Without urgent action, millions more children, especially girls, risk being left behind. And not just in classrooms, but in life. A poor education limits a child’s future and weakens a nation’s potential. This crisis is solvable, and the time to act is now.

This is why DIL exists.

We’re not just helping children attend school. We are making sure school works for them. By building a model grounded in equity, community trust, and innovation, we’re working to change what’s possible for the next generation.

A quiet moment in an empty classroom. A determined student in a rural village. A teacher standing where a school once flooded. Choose imagery that reflects both hardship and hope.

How we make It happen

Our Education Model is built for equity, impact, and scale.
We combine innovative technology, strong teacher support, early learning, and contextualized curricula to help every child succeed especially in underserved communities.

Ed-Tech in Classrooms

Our education technology initiative blends digital lessons with hands-on activities to build foundational skills in core subjects.

Teacher Development

We equip educators with tools, coaching, and AI-powered insights to deliver high-quality instruction, even in the most low-resource settings.

Early Childhood Education

This is where it begins. Our early learning programs nurture curiosity, confidence, and school readiness from the start.

Watch our impact in action

See what learning looks like