Noor Arshad
Pakistan’s education system is in a state of crisis, with millions of children not attending school and those that do face challenges such as absent teachers and poor learning environments. The literacy rate in Pakistan in 2021 was only 62.8%, and the country spent only 1.77% of its GDP on education-related expenditures at both the federal and provincial levels.
The problems associated with the education system include lack of adequate budget, lack of policy implementation, defective examination system, poor physical facilities, lack of teacher quality, and lack of uniformity. These issues are further exacerbated by socio-economic factors such as poverty and inequality.
A significant issue is the gender disparity in education. About twelve million girls are out of school, two million more than boys. This problem is most prevalent among the poorest households.
Failure to address these issues could lead to severe consequences. Many of the economic issues like poverty, overpopulation, unemployment, resource mobilization, inflation, exchange rate drastic fluctuation, housing, infrastructure, and health can be reduced and handled by improving the education system in Pakistan.
Experts opine that comprehensive policy reforms are imperative to address systemic issues within Pakistan’s education system. Government initiatives should focus on increasing education spending, reforming curriculum standards, and implementing inclusive policies to ensure equal access for all.
In addition, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Pakistan could significantly enhance education. By investing in teacher training programmes and providing greater incentives for instructors, the quality of education could be significantly improved.
Recent reports from 2023 and 2024 indicate that the government has increased its allocation for pre-primary, primary, and secondary education affairs. However, these efforts need to be sustained and further enhanced to address the education crisis effectively.
The crisis in Pakistan’s education system is a ticking time bomb that needs immediate attention. The country’s future depends on the steps taken today to ensure that every child, regardless of gender, has access to quality education.
