[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e all believe that education is central to economic growth and prosperity. And the Government of Pakistan proclaims it as a main concern. But still in the country educational quality and outcome, particularly in public sector schools, have not enhanced proportionate to resource transfer and improved awareness. When we look our surroundings, we find that Pakistani society is split into two segments the secular and religious curriculums both are totally dissimilar from each other. As a result, both curriculums have produced dissimilar mindsets in the students, while increasing challenges in the country.
PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION
The government officials have revealed that at national level, pre-primary enrolment recorded a rise of 2.1 percent as it rose to 9,791,725 during FY2016 as against to 9,589,223 during FY2015. However, it was predicted to raise more by 1.9 percent i.e. from 9,791,725 to 9,976,263 in FY2017.
| EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN | |
| Fiscal Year | As % of GDP |
| 2013 | 2.1 |
| 2014 | 2.1 |
| 2015 | 2.2 |
| 2016 | 2.3 |
PRIMARY EDUCATION
At national level, it is also said that there were 164,630 primary schools (classes I-V) with 444,567 teachers during FY2016 recording an important rise of 8.6 percent in primary enrolment to 21,550,582 as against to 19,846,824 during FY2015. It was predicted to rise by 3.6 percent i.e. from 21,550,582 to 22,330,034 in FY2017.
MIDDLE EDUCATION
In Pakistan, the middle schools (classes VI-VIII) include grades six through eight. The government officials also calculated that there were 45,680 middle institutes with 394,231 teachers were functional during FY2016. A significant rise of 5.2 percent is registered in middle classes enrolment as it has grown to 6,922,251 during FY2016 as compared to 6,582,173 during FY2015 and is predicted to raise more by 2.4 percent i.e. from 6,922,251 to 7,087,061 during FY2017.
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SECONDARY/HIGH EDUCATION
High/secondary schools (classes IXX) in the country usually include grades 9 and 10. During FY2016, at national level there were 31,740 secondary institutions as compared to 31,225 institutions over FY2015 recording a rise of 1.6 percent, whereas the total number of teachers at high school level reached at 529,520 in FY2016 as against to 514,158 over 2014-15 a rise of 3.0 percent. Secondary school enrolment experienced rise of 4.3 percent from 3,652,537 during FY2016 as against to 3,500,692 in FY2015. It was predicted to rise by 5.8 percent i.e. from 3,652,537 to 3,865,408 in FY2017.
HIGHER SECONDARY/INTER COLLEGES
The Higher Secondary Schools/Inter Colleges (classes XI-XII) in Pakistan include grades 11 and 12. At national level, 5,470 higher secondary schools/inter colleges with 123,061 teachers were functional in FY2016 as against to 5,393 institutions with 118,079 teachers in FY2015. The overall enrolment of students in higher secondary education recorded a rise of 2.0 percent during FY2016 as against to FY2015. The enrolment during 2015-16 was 1,698,047 as against to 1,665,490 during FY2015. For 2016-17, it was predicted to rise to 1,911,085. Number of institutes was expected to rise to 5,572 in 2016-17.
UNIVERSITIES
The universities (classes XV onwards) offer higher education, research and number of disciplines. During 2015-16, there were 163 universities with 83,375 teachers in both public and private and public sectors, the overall enrolment of students in higher education (universities) at 1,355,694 as against to 1,299,160 over 2014-15 recording a rise of 4.6 percent. During 2016-17, the enrolment is predicted to be at 1,287,923.
CONCLUSION
Pakistan must adopt the best education curriculum used in most developed states and train the new generation in order to equip them for the service of their country. The present Government of Pakistan needs to familiarize its new generation with the latest developments especially R&D and guide their mentality on a humanist basis.