Education: a costly neglect

Published: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 4:57 am

Education Crisis in Pakistan: A Call for Urgent Action

Recent observations on World Teachers Day highlighted the Pakistani government's commitment to reforming the education system, focusing on knowledge, innovation, and employable skills. The Prime Minister emphasized aligning education with modern scientific and technological standards to prepare youth for global competition, recognizing that the nation's economic well-being hinges on a well-trained teaching cadre. However, despite these pronouncements, the reality paints a starkly different picture.

Despite a declared education emergency last year, concrete actions have been lacking. Budgetary allocations for education have plummeted, with a 29% decrease observed between July 2024 and March 2025. This neglect is particularly concerning given the scale of the crisis. Pakistan faces the world's second-highest number of out-of-school children, with an estimated 25 million children aged 5-16 not attending school, representing 44% of the age group. Disparities are evident across gender, socio-economic status, and geography, with particularly alarming rates of girls out of school in certain regions.

Beyond enrollment, the quality of education is also a significant concern. Learning poverty is rampant, with over 75% of children unable to read and understand a simple text by age ten. This crisis is compounded by issues such as poor infrastructure, untrained teachers, and outdated curricula. The shortcomings in the public sector have led to a decline in the quality of education, prompting parents to seek alternatives, often private schools, making good education accessible primarily to the affluent.

UNICEF is providing support to address these challenges, focusing on early childhood education, alternative learning pathways, and strengthening school-community linkages. However, the primary responsibility for improving education lies with the government. Raising public spending on education and skill development to international standards is crucial. This includes increasing the budget from the current 2.7% of GDP to 5% and eventually 7%. Furthermore, a focus on improving the overall quality of education, with an emphasis on scientific and technical education, is essential. A strong monitoring system is also needed to ensure effective implementation of educational policies.

BNN's Perspective: The situation in Pakistan's education sector is deeply concerning. While the government's rhetoric acknowledges the importance of education, the lack of adequate funding and effective implementation undermines these commitments. A concerted effort, prioritizing education and investing in both quality and access, is essential for the nation's future.

Keywords: Education, Pakistan, Out-of-School Children, Budget, Learning Poverty, UNICEF, Teachers, Curriculum, Infrastructure, Government, Education Reform, Educational Policy, Skill Development, Scientific Education, Technical Education, Vocational Training.

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