By Umer Sajjad
Education is universally recognized as a fundamental human right. It not only provides stability, enriches lives, and fosters personal growth but also plays a crucial role in enhancing one’s standard of living, increasing social importance and offering individuals the chance for better lives.
Furthermore, education equips people with knowledge, skills, and a constructive attitude that empowers them to positively impact society. As Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
However, in Pakistan, education has been consistently neglected. Despite its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future, the sector has not received the attention it deserves. A recent report by the Ministry of Planning has highlighted significant gaps and weaknesses in Pakistan’s education system, drawing attention to a critical issue that has long been ignored.
The District Education Performance Index (DEPIx) Report for 2020-2023 reveals alarming statistics. Pakistan’s national average score in the DEPIx is 53.46, placing the country in the “low” performance category. Among the five assessed domains, infrastructure and access scored the highest at 58.95, indicating some progress in expanding educational opportunities.
The inclusion domain, which encompasses equity and technology, follows as the second highest.
However, the report underscores that public financing recorded the lowest score, signaling an urgent need for increased and better-targeted spending in the education sector. The learning domain also scores poorly, reflecting persistently low learning outcomes among students.
Governance and management, though slightly better than the learning domain, still fall within the “low” category, mainly due to teacher shortages and high bureaucratic turnover.
Notably, none of the 134 districts assessed falls within the ‘very high’ performance category, with only Islamabad ranking in the ‘high’ category.
The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of access to education for children, particularly those from poor families or residing in backward areas. The Prime Minister recently highlighted that 26.5 million children aged 5 to 16 years are currently out of school in Pakistan, representing nearly 36% of the total number of children in this age group.
This is one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, blatantly contravening Article 25-A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education for all children in this age group—a promise that remains unfulfilled even 14 years after its enactment.
The chronic neglect of Pakistan’s education system stems from decades of deliberate ignorance and disregard. One of the primary reasons for the underdeveloped education sector is the lack of consistent investment.
Government spending on education, currently at approximately 1.7% of GDP, falls far short of the 4% minimum recommended by international education monitors, highlighting a chronic lack of prioritization. This underfunding has led to insufficient infrastructural facilities, underpaid teaching staff, and ultimately, a low-quality education system.
The disparity in educational quality between urban and rural areas is another significant issue. Many schools in rural areas suffer from a lack of qualified teachers, outdated curricula, and inadequate facilities. In fact, 70% of children who do not attend school live in rural areas, a reflection of limited access to educational institutions in these regions.
Furthermore, the education a child receives in Pakistan is heavily dependent on household income. Surveys by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reveal that children from the top income quintile have significantly higher enrollment rates compared to those from the bottom quintile.
Gender inequality also exacerbates the educational crisis. Of the children who do not attend school, 58% are girls. In many parts of the country, the education of male children is given greater priority, further widening the gender gap in educational attainment.
Socioeconomic factors, particularly poverty, play a crucial role in limiting educational opportunities. Many children are forced to work to support their families, which restricts their ability to attend school regularly. According to a World Bank report, nearly 37% of Pakistan’s population earns less than $3.65 per day, with over 83% earning less than $6.85 per day. This level of poverty severely hampers children’s access to education.
Corruption, misuse of authority, and mismanagement of funds are also significant contributors to the underdevelopment of Pakistan’s education sector. According to Transparency International, education is the fourth most corrupt sector in Pakistan.
Corruption manifests in various forms, including the embezzlement of funds, manipulations in teacher appointments and transfers, grade inflation, fake degrees, and corruption in development projects.
A serious lack of accountability further exacerbates these issues, allowing corrupt practices to persist unchecked.
These factors have collectively contributed to Pakistan’s education sector becoming one of the worst in the world. However, with consistent and pragmatic policies, these problems can be addressed. The government must take a step-by-step approach to identify and rectify the challenges facing the education system, ensuring a brighter future for the nation.
(Umar Sajjad is an A-level student at LGS Gulberg, Lahore. He can be reached at umerrsajjad4929@gmail.com)
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