LOW GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAHORE
Loading...
Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UMT, Lahore
Abstract
Low government spending on education in Lahore has led to increasing school dropout rates, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of access to quality education. The present study uses a qualitative methodology and involves 10 in-depth interviews with educators and legislators or policy makers. Seven self-structured questions were asked from each of the respondent and from the responses of these questions four key themes that were identified from this research were Government Underfunding and Its Consequences, The Impact of Poverty on School Enrollment, Policy Discontinuity and Poor Implementation and need for Educational Reforms and Targeted Strategies. A case study from a government school in Lahore illustrates how infrastructure deficiencies, including the lack of clean drinking water and modern classrooms, discourage student enrollment (Teacher, Interview 4). Another case highlights how financial constraints force parents to withdraw their children from school, despite free education, due to unaffordable transportation and book costs, leading to child labor (Teacher, Interview 4). Gender disparities are also evident, as cultural norms and poverty disproportionately limit girls’ access to education (Shahid Latif, Interview 3). Policy discontinuity further exacerbates the issue. A case study on government interventions reveals that frequent policy changes and ineffective implementation prevent long-term educational improvements (Interview 1). Educators report that newly introduced policies rarely translate into practical classroom improvements (Teacher, Interview 9). This study underscores the urgent need for sustainable policy reforms, increased educational funding, and targeted financial assistance programs to ensure accessible and quality education for all children in Lahore.