Mr. Ahsan Ansari
Education is the foundation of any nation’s development, stability, and prosperity. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s education system has been plagued by crises, imbalance, and weak policies for decades. The lack of literacy, a large number of children out of school, insufficient budgets, and the scarcity of facilities are some of the major challenges that we still face today. It is necessary to compare Pakistan’s current education system with that of developed countries to identify the shortcomings that must be addressed in order to make the dream of progress a reality.
According to data from 2021-2022, Pakistan’s literacy rate stands at approximately 62.8%, with a significant disparity between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, the literacy rate is 77.3%, while in rural areas, it is only 54%. When it comes to literacy, a clear gender divide emerges — with 73.4% of men able to read and write compared to only 51.9% of women, highlighting a significant educational disparity between the sexes..
The situation of children deprived of education is also highly concerning. According to recent reports, approximately 26.2 million children aged 5 to 16 are out of school in Pakistan, which constitutes 39% of the total children in this age group. In 2016-2017, this number was 22 million, but rapid population growth and the sluggish pace of the education system have made the problem even more severe.A staggering 10.77 million children are currently enrolled at the primary education level, underscoring the critical urgency to place primary schooling at the forefront of national education priorities.
The allocation of the education budget is also a major issue. In the fiscal year 2023, the total expenditure on education by federal and provincial governments was only 1.5% of the country’s GDP, which is even lower than 1.7% in 2022. These figures are not only far below global standards but also comparatively low when compared to regional countries such as India and Bangladesh.
In the 2024-2025 budget, various reports indicate that a total of 93 billion rupees have been allocated for education, including 25.75 billion rupees for the Federal Ministry of Education and 66.31 billion rupees for the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Some sources report that 103.781 billion rupees have been allocated for educational affairs and services, a slight increase compared to the previous year.
If we look at developed countries such as Finland, Canada, and Germany, these nations spend a significant portion of their GDP on education and provide free, compulsory, and quality education to all children. Not only do these countries ensure equal access to education for every child, but they also provide equal opportunities for special children, minority groups, and underprivileged sectors of society.
The education systems in these countries are student-centered and consist of modern teaching methods that promote critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills. Regular teacher training, updated curricula, and the use of technology make their systems effective and results-oriented.
The examination system is also markedly different from Pakistan’s. In developed countries, students’ performance is assessed not just through exams, but through practical work, project planning, and overall learning progress. In Pakistan, however, there is a dominant trend of memory-based exams, which stifles students’ creative abilities.
The Pakistani government has indeed taken some positive steps for the promotion of education in recent years. In the 2024-2025 budget, 25.75 billion rupees have been allocated for the Federal Ministry of Education, which is 203% more than the previous year. Similarly, a development budget of 66.31 billion rupees has been approved for the Higher Education Commission. These measures are commendable, but their scope needs to be expanded.
There is a need for a comprehensive strategy to address issues such as reducing the number of out-of-school children, availability of schools in rural areas, recruitment and training of teachers, curriculum innovation, and special focus on girls’ education. The lack of basic facilities and social barriers in rural areas also pose major obstacles to education.
Pakistan’s education system is at a critical juncture. If serious reforms are not implemented, this system could severely affect not only our children’s future but also the nation’s overall development. We must learn from the successful education models of developed countries and modernize our own system. Curriculum reforms, quality teacher training, increased budgets, and equal access to education in every region are the key pillars on which the foundation of a bright Pakistan can be built. Education is not just an individual’s need; it is the survival and prosperity of the nation.