The Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) and the Data and Research in Education – Research Consortium (DARE-RC) – a project funded by UK International Development – jointly organised a Policy Dialogue on “Initiating an Early Warning System (EWS) to Identify Students at Risk of Dropout” at the PIE Auditorium.
The event convened policymakers, education experts, and development partners to deliberate on strategies to address the urgent challenge of school dropouts in Pakistan. With over 26.2 million children aged 5-16 years currently out of school, the dialogue underscored the importance of innovative, data-driven solutions to improve retention rates and ensure equitable access to education. Central to the discussions was the Early Warning System, a globally recognised framework that uses indicators such as attendance, academic performance, and socio-economic conditions to identify students at risk of dropping out. This enables targeted and timely interventions to prevent dropouts and foster inclusive education.
The event began with a welcome address and opening remarks, followed by a multimedia presentation showcasing global successes with EWS models and a live demonstration of the Sindh Early Warning System model. Group discussions and a panel session, moderated by leading education experts including Dr Zaigham Qadeer and Dr Sajid, provided a platform for actionable recommendations to inform policy and practice.
Participants developed a tailored framework for EWS implementation in Pakistan and proposed steps to integrate the system into national and provincial education strategies. The dialogue also fostered collaboration among senior government officials, provincial education departments, and donor agencies including FCDO, the World Bank, UNICEF, JICA, and UNESCO. Representatives from NGOs and development organisations were also present, contributing their expertise and insights. The outcomes included a roadmap for piloting EWS initiatives in select regions with plans for scaling them nationally.
Hassan Saqlain, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, in his address emphasised the critical importance of early interventions in reducing school dropout rates. He stated, “Addressing the issue of school dropouts is not just a matter of improving education statistics, but a matter of ensuring a brighter future for our children and the nation’s prosperity. Through initiatives like the Early Warning System, we are taking a decisive step in identifying at-risk students early and providing them with the support they need to stay in school.”
Director General PIE, Dr Shahid Soroya, highlighted the critical need for targeted interventions to combat dropout rates. “Education is the bedrock of progress. Through data-driven solutions like the Early Warning System, we can transform Pakistan’s education landscape and ensure every child has access to quality education,” he stated.
“We must act now to develop and deploy contextually appropriate strategies for ensuring retention of students through accessible quality education. An effective EWS based on reliable and relevant evidence offers the opportunity of robust monitoring of students at risk of dropping out. It will help in reduction of dropout rates through a shift to multi-sectoral strategies identifying and tackling the debilitating factors that hinder children’s continued participation in learning and skills development,” said Asfundyar Khan, Deputy Programme Director at DARE-RC.
This Policy Dialogue exemplifies the collective commitment of PIE, DARE-RC, and their partners to evidence-based policymaking and cross-sector collaboration. It reaffirms Pakistan’s dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 of inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
