Reviving Pakistan’s Education System: From Neglect to Reform

Have you ever wondered why there’s such a huge gap in the quality of education available in Pakistan? Why do some children attend the best institutions, while others have never even stepped inside a classroom? And why are girls, especially from low-income families, still struggling to access their basic right to education?

These questions aren’t just theoretical—they reflect the pressing challenges in Pakistan’s education system. Education in the country is, unfortunately, divided by class. Elite children attend prestigious institutions like Aitchison and Burn Hall; middle-class families send their children to private or public schools, while the poorest children often attend madrassas. This divide leads to entirely different perspectives, creating gaps in our society that deepen social polarization.

For girls, especially those from poor families, the situation is even more challenging. Girls’ enrollment rates are lower than boys’, and early child marriages—on the rise due to economic and environmental hardships—only widen this gap. In rural areas, the lack of proper school infrastructure and societal norms restrict girls from accessing education. Schools are often located far from homes, and safety concerns discourage parents from sending their daughters to study. Additionally, cultural expectations that prioritize domestic responsibilities over education limit their opportunities.

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Moreover, there is a dearth of quality educators. A curriculum is just words on paper if it is not taught effectively. Teachers in private schools, in particular, are often overworked and underpaid. Many end their school day only to begin grading assignments and responding to parents and students late into the evening. A report released by Human Rights Awareness (HRA), an NGO, notes that teachers working in private-sector schools rank high among the most unappreciated and underpaid professionals in Pakistan, especially if they are women in rural areas. In public schools, many teachers are either untrained or absent from classrooms altogether, leading to widespread inefficiencies in the system.

Outdated teaching methods and minimal funding make these issues even more difficult to address. There are 26.2 million children in Pakistan who have never even seen the inside of a classroom—a statistic that reflects not just an educational crisis but a socio-political and historical one. This situation cannot be an overnight development; it requires sustained neglect to reach such an apocalyptic scenario.

Higher education is equally problematic. Despite policies that promote research, we lack practical, industry-relevant research. We cannot even manufacture a single needle independently. The challenges run deep, even affecting the country’s economy; a report showed that malnutrition alone costs Pakistan nearly 3% of its GDP. How beneficial it would be if the government allocated the necessary share to health and education from the start, rather than compensating for the loss later.

Another major hurdle in reviving Pakistan’s education system is political instability. Every new government brings different education policies, making long-term planning and implementation nearly impossible. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of accountability have led to ghost schools—institutions that exist on paper but not in reality. According to some statistics, there are 30,000 such schools in the country. Without political will and continuity in policies, reforms fail to achieve their desired results.

While our government has pledged to improve education by focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 4, achieving this goal requires action on other SDGs—such as reducing poverty and hunger, improving health, and ensuring gender equality.

Yet, we are not without hope. Countries in South Asia like Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Indian states like Kerala have tackled similar challenges successfully. For instance, Sri Lanka has substantially reduced the number of out-of-school children through School Meal Programs and child-friendly school initiatives. Meanwhile, Kerala has focused on women’s empowerment, informal education, and vocational training.

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In Bangladesh, the government introduced an extensive stipend program for female students, ensuring that economic hardship does not force them out of school. As a result, Bangladesh has one of the highest female literacy rates in South Asia. Why can’t Pakistan replicate these models to address its educational divide?

Technology has immense potential to bridge Pakistan’s educational gap. Digital learning platforms, free online resources, and mobile classrooms can provide flexible and cost-effective solutions. Organizations like The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and Akhuwat Foundation have demonstrated that grassroots efforts can make a significant impact. Community schools, evening classes for working children, and partnerships between the public and private sectors can bring education to those who need it the most.

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The road to reform is not easy, but it is necessary. The government must:

• Increase education funding to at least 4% of GDP, as recommended by UNESCO.
• Improve teacher training programs and offer competitive salaries to attract quality educators.
• Implement policies that ensure education continuity regardless of political shifts.
• Promote gender-inclusive policies that encourage girls’ enrollment and retention in schools.
• Leverage technology to make education accessible in rural and underprivileged areas.

Pakistan stands at a crossroads. It can either continue on the path of neglect, allowing millions of children to remain uneducated, or it can choose hope, reform, and investment in its future. As Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

May our education system recover swiftly, ensuring every child receives the opportunity to thrive. A literate, educated, and empowered Pakistan is not just a dream—it is a necessity. Let us work together to turn this vision into reality.