THE RIGHT TO LEARN

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.
We make sure the country keeps that promise.

No one can fix education alone. We bring civil society, youth, and communities together into one force for change.

Explore our work

Join the coalition

THE CRISIS WE'RE ADDRESSING

25.1M

children aged 5 to 16 are out of school — 35% of all children

<2%

of GDP goes to education — less than half the recommended 4 to 6%

80%

learning poverty — most children cannot read with understanding by late primary age

42%

of adults aged 15+ cannot read and write

WHO WE ARE

A coalition building collective power for education.

Since 2005, Pakistan Coalition for Education (PCE) has brought civil society together into one voice for change. We work across the country through a network of grassroots organisations, strategic partners, and young people, all held together by one belief: that Article 25-A, the constitutional right to free, compulsory education for every child aged 5 to 16, must be met in full.

About Us

Our Vision

Education for all children and youth in Pakistan, nurturing them to become critical thinkers and conscientious citizens who promote harmony, democracy, and justice.

HOW CHANGE HAPPENS

PCE builds the coalition, the evidence, and the public pressure that move the system. We generate research, galvanise communities, engage policymakers, build our members’ capacity, hold officials to account, and connect local realities to national and global agendas.

Our Approach

Where we focus our work

THE COALITION IDEOLOGY

What makes PCE different

Evidence-driven
Voices without evidence can be ignored. And, evidence without community voice has no power. PCE brings both together and that combination is what moves policy.
Local to global, global to local
PCE doesn’t choose between grassroots work and international advocacy. Realities from 1,500+ union councils reach UN committees. Global commitments translate into local accountability. Both directions matter.
Long-term by design
Education transformation doesn’t happen in project cycles. PCE has been building relationships, generating evidence and pushing for reform for over twenty years. That continuity is rare and it’s why our advocacy lands.
Sustained pressure
Systemic change requires sustained, coordinated pressure across levels, community, district, provincial, national, international, simultaneously. Not a one-off campaign. A movement.
Building capacity, not dependency
PCE doesn’t just mobilise people for its campaigns. It builds their skills and confidence to lead their own. Pakistan’s education movement grows stronger and more independent every year.

Evidence-driven
Voices without evidence can be ignored. And, evidence without community voice has no power. PCE brings both together and that combination is what moves policy.
Local to global, global to local
PCE doesn’t choose between grassroots work and international advocacy. Realities from 1,500+ union councils reach UN committees. Global commitments translate into local accountability. Both directions matter.
Long-term by design
Education transformation doesn’t happen in project cycles. PCE has been building relationships, generating evidence and pushing for reform for over twenty years. That continuity is rare and it’s why our advocacy lands.
Sustained pressure
Systemic change requires sustained, coordinated pressure across levels, community, district, provincial, national, international, simultaneously. Not a one-off campaign. A movement.
Building capacity, not dependency
PCE doesn’t just mobilise people for its campaigns. It builds their skills and confidence to lead their own. Pakistan’s education movement grows stronger and more independent every year.

LATEST FROM THE COALITION

Evidence, action, and stories from the movement.

Explore the newest campaigns, events, and publications moving education forward.

PROGRAMS

17th Annual Convention on Youth Agency in Education

PCE's next flagship convention puts young people's agency at the centre of the education agenda. Details, dates, and registration coming soon.

Explore Programs

PUBLICATIONS

Whose Voice Matters? Youth Agency in Determining and Learning the Skills that Matter in Pakistan's Public Secondary Schools

Pakistan's education system is built for young people, but almost never with them. A study of who decides what students learn, and what it costs when students have no say.

Explore Publications

INSIGHTS

Youth & Education Reform in Pakistan

Opinion published in the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies (PIPS) Research Digest, August 2025. Authored by Zehra Arshad (National Coordinator, PCE) and Urwa Naeem (Program Coordinator - Research & Advocacy, PCE). On the role of young people in driving education reform in Pakistan.

Explore Insights

Explore Programs

Explore Publications

Explore Insights

GEOGRAPHIC REACH

1,500+

Union councils reached

70+

Districts covered

20+ Years

Sustained collective action

HARVESTING HOPE

A coalition is made of its people.

Harvesting Hope tells the stories of the members, youth leaders, teachers, and communities who make this movement what it is.

Read their stories

BE PART OF THE COALITION

There is a role for everyone in this movement.

Core Members

PCE's backbone

Associate Members

Strategic & Voluntary Engagement

Strategic Partners & Allies

PAGE

People Action Groups for Education

YECN

Young Education Changemakers Network

STAY CONNECTED

Follow the work. Join the conversation.

Find PCE on social media, reach out through our contact page, or subscribe for the next update from the coalition.

Contact the coalition

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.We make sure the country keeps that promise.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.We make sure the country keeps that promise.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.We make sure the country keeps that promise.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.We make sure the country keeps that promise.

A coalition building collective power for education.

Education for all children and youth in Pakistan, nurturing them to become critical thinkers and conscientious citizens who promote harmony, democracy, and justice.

Where we focus our work

What makes PCE different

Evidence-driven

Local to global, global to local

Long-term by design

Sustained pressure

Building capacity, not dependency

Evidence-driven

Local to global, global to local

Long-term by design

Sustained pressure

Building capacity, not dependency

Evidence, action, and stories from the movement.

17th Annual Convention on Youth Agency in Education

17th Annual Convention on Youth Agency in Education

17th Annual Convention on Youth Agency in Education

17th Annual Convention on Youth Agency in Education

17th Annual Convention on Youth Agency in Education

Whose Voice Matters? Youth Agency in Determining and Learning the Skills that Matter in Pakistan's Public Secondary Schools

Whose Voice Matters? Youth Agency in Determining and Learning the Skills that Matter in Pakistan's Public Secondary Schools

Whose Voice Matters? Youth Agency in Determining and Learning the Skills that Matter in Pakistan's Public Secondary Schools

Whose Voice Matters? Youth Agency in Determining and Learning the Skills that Matter in Pakistan's Public Secondary Schools

Whose Voice Matters? Youth Agency in Determining and Learning the Skills that Matter in Pakistan's Public Secondary Schools

Youth & Education Reform in Pakistan

Youth & Education Reform in Pakistan

Youth & Education Reform in Pakistan

Youth & Education Reform in Pakistan

Youth & Education Reform in Pakistan

A coalition is made of its people.

There is a role for everyone in this movement.

Core Members

Associate Members

Strategic Partners & Allies

PAGE

YECN

Follow the work. Join the conversation.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.
We make sure the country keeps that promise.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.
We make sure the country keeps that promise.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.
We make sure the country keeps that promise.

Every child in Pakistan has the right to learn.
We make sure the country keeps that promise.