Education is one of the key factors for changing the existing state of a nation into a distinguished position in the community of nations. While education levels vary from state to state, researchers revealed that there is a clear correlation between the quality of a country’s educational system and its general economic status and overall well-being.
In general, developing states tend to provide their citizens a higher quality of education than the least developed states do, and completely developed states provide the best quality of education of all. Education is clearly a vital contributor to any country’s overall health.
In Pakistan, statistics revealed by the Government of Pakistan showed that cumulative education expenditures by federal and provincial governments in FY2021 stayed at 1.77 percent of GDP (revised estimates). Expenditures on education-related expenditures during FY2021 recorded a rise of 9.7 percent, standing Rs 988 billion from Rs 901 billion. Statistics also showed that the overall education condition based on the main indicators, like enrolments, number of institutions and teachers have shown a significant improvement.
The total number of enrolments during FY2020 was registered at 55.7 million as against to 53.1 million during FY2019, which shows a rise of 4.9 percent. It is estimated to rise to 58.5 million during FY2021. The Number of institutions registered at 277.5 thousand during FY2020 as against to 271.8 thousand during FY2019. However, the numbers of institutions are estimated to rise to 283.7 thousand in FY2021 in Pakistan. Similarly, there were 1.83 million teachers in FY2020 as against to 1.79 million last year. The Number of teachers is estimated to increase to 1.89 million during FY2021.
| Number of Mainstream Enrolment by Level in Pakistan (Thousands) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Pre-Primary | Primary | Middle | High | Higher Sec./ Inter | Degree Colleges | Technical & Vocational Institutes | Universities | Total |
| 2013-14 | 9267.7 | 19441.1 | 6460.8 | 3109.0 | 1233.7 | 465.4 | 308.6 | 1594.6 | 41880.9 |
| 2014-15 | 9589.2 | 19846.8 | 6582.2 | 3500.7 | 1665.5 | 510.6 | 319.9 | 1299.2 | 43314.1 |
| 2015-16 | 9791.7 | 21550.6 | 6922.3 | 3652.5 | 1698.0 | 518.1 | 315.2 | 1355.6 | 45804.0 |
| 2016-17 | 11436.6 | 21686.5 | 6996.0 | 3583.1 | 1594.9 | 537.4 | 344.8 | 1463.3 | 47642.6 |
| 2017-18 | 12574.3 | 22931.3 | 7362.1 | 3861.3 | 1687.8 | 604.6 | 433.2 | 1575.8 | 51030.4 |
| 2018-19 | 12707.1 | 23588.0 | 7634.1 | 3969.0 | 2139.9 | 725.6 | 433.2 | 1858.7 | 53055.6 |
| 2019-20 | 13487.9 | 24591.7 | 7931.5 | 4213.5 | 2328.3 | 741.5 | 464.5 | 1910.0 | 55668.9 |
| 2020-21 | 14360.2 | 25676.4 | 8250.7 | 4486.7 | 2548.9 | 758.0 | 500.2 | 1964.0 | 58545.1 |
Pre-Primary Education
Statistics also showed that pre -primary education is the basic component of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Prep classes are for children between 3 to 5 years of age. At national level, a rise of 6.1 percent in pre-primary enrolment (13.5 million) in FY2020 over FY2019 (12.7 million) has been observed and it is further estimated to increase by 6.4 percent to 14.4 million in FY2021.
Primary Education (Classes I-V)
In FY2020, there were a total of 183.9 thousand functional primary schools with 507.6 thousand corresponding teachers recorded in Pakistan. A rise of 4.2 percent in primary enrolment is witnessed as the total enrolled students increased to 24.6 million in FY2020 against 23.6 million in FY2019. However, it is projected to further increase to 25.7 million in FY2021.
Middle Education (Classes VI-VIII)
During FY2020, total number of middle institutes reached at 48.3 thousand with 466.4 thousand employed teachers in Pakistan. A rise of 3.9 percent in middle enrolment is observed. The Total enrolled students reached to 7.9 million in FY2020 against 7.6 million in FY2019 and it is projected to rise by 4.0 percent (from 7.9 million to 8.3 million) in FY2021.
Secondary/High School Education (Classes IX-X)
During the FY2020, a total of 32.0 thousand secondary schools were functional, with a total number of 582.3 thousand teachers recorded in Pakistan. An increase of 6.2 percent in secondary school enrolment is observed at the national level as the total enrolment increased to 4.2 million in FY2020 as compared to 4.0 million in FY 2019. However, it is estimated to further increase by 6.5 percent (i.e., from 4.2 million to 4.5 million) during FY2021.
Higher Secondary/Inter Colleges (Classes XI-XII)
During FY2020, 6.0 thousand higher secondary schools/inter colleges with 136.7 thousand teachers were functional at national level. The Overall enrolment of students in higher secondary education witnessed an increase of 8.8 percent in FY2020. The Enrolment registered during FY2020 was 2.33 million as against to 2.14 million in FY2019. For FY2021, it is projected to reach at 2.55 million.
Technical & Vocational Education
During FY2020, 3.8 thousand technical and vocational institutes with 18.6 thousand teachers were functional at the national level. The Enrolment increased to 0.46 million in FY2020 from 0.43 million compared to FY2019. However, it is estimated to increase by 7.7 percent (i.e., from 0.46 million to 0.50 million) in FY2021.
Degree Colleges (Classes XIII-XIV)
An enrolment of 0.76 million students is expected during FY2021 in degree colleges as against the enrolment of 0.74 million in FY2020. A Total of 3,320 degree colleges with 64,293 teachers were functional during FY2020.
Universities
There are 218 universities with 58.0 thousand teachers in both public and private sectors functional in FY2020. The Overall enrolment of students in higher education institutions (universities) grew to 1.91 million in FY2020 from 1.86 million in FY2019. The Enrolment is expected to increase from 1.91 million in FY 2020 to 1.96 million (i.e., 2.8 percent) in FY2021.