- Revamping curricula and prioritising inclusivity can unlock Pakistan’s educational potential and empower future generations
Another year is drawing to an end, but it seems Pakistan’s educational woes are there to stay festering for yet another year or probably for many more years to come.
There’s hardly any speck of doubt in the fact that education is the latest and the most cutting edge weapon that vouches for the rise and fall of nations.
The rise of China as a new hub of civilisation in all walks of life is a testament that a country can lift itself out of darkness through innovation and technology.
As we stand at the crossroads of history, Pakistan’s educational landscape stares back, a reflection of our collective failures. The statistics are stark: 22.5 million out-of-school children, 40% literacy rate, and a curriculum frozen in time. Our education system is a patchwork of contradictions, where privilege and poverty collide.
The privilege so far, has won in the educational domain with many deserving minds —capable of rotating our wheel of destiny — remaining left out of the race.
Pakistan’s Educational Vista unfortunately, doesn’t inspire confidence and continues to be riddled with many anomalies and structural flaws.
Thus, Pakistan needs to tuck in to surmount these educational challenges to be able to take the right strides for its uplift in all walks of life.
The biggest obstacle in our way is the split of Pakistan’s education among various moderations and strands of educational dissemination.
Pakistan’s education landscape is marred by a stark reality: unequal access to quality education. The country’s diverse institutional setup, comprising public, private and Deeni Madaris, exacerbates this issue (Pakistan Education Commission, 2024).
This dichotomy perpetuates a cycle of inequality, where privilege and poverty collide (World Bank-2024).
Renowned educationist, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, aptly puts it, “Pakistan’s education system is a patchwork of contradictions, where the haves and have-nots are starkly divided (Hoodbhoy-2023).
Statistics underscore this concern: literacy rate stands at 63.3% (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics-2024), while 23.5 million children remain out-of-school (UNESCO-2023). Private schools enroll 38% of students, while Deeni Madaris account for 17% (Pakistan Education Commission-2024). Dropout rate is alarming at 36.2% (UNESCO-2023).
The consequences of this lack of uniformity are far-reaching. Public institutions struggle with inadequate funding (World Bank,-2024).
Expert opinions emphasise the need for radical reforms. Dr. Saeed Ahmad, Educationist-2024, advocates for standardised curricula and equitable resource allocation.
Dr. Hina Azam, Economist (2024), stresses uniformity’s importance for social cohesion and economic growth. To bridge this gap, policymakers must prioritise inclusivity, addressing Deeni Madaris’ needs. Standardising curricula, increasing funding and promoting inclusivity can mitigate these disparities. The time for change is now; Pakistan’s future depends on it.
Furthermore, the tale of inadequacies doesn’t stop here.
Pakistan’s education sector struggles with inadequate planning, crippling resource allocation and exacerbating disparities. Education planning’s lack of coordination results in inefficient allocation (World Bank-2024). Dr. Saeed Ahmad, Educationist, cautions, “Pakistan’s education planning is fragmented, hindering effective resource utilisation and perpetuating inequities (Ahmad-2024).”
This disjointed approach hampers infrastructure development, textbook availability and teacher training.
A nation fragmented within several streams of education is unlikely to break free and embark on a journey of collective consciousness,where the success of one complements the success and the spirit of the other.
Add to it a multitude of other choking factors that worsen the chances of reforms and revamping needed on war footing.
For instance, Pakistan’s education sector struggles beneath the weight of crippling resource constraints. The meager 1.77% budget allocation for education (World Bank-2024) falls woefully short of international standards (UNESCO-2024), perpetuating a vicious cycle of underdevelopment.
Schools suffer from limited infrastructure, lacking basic facilities like libraries, computers and proper lighting, hindering academic growth.
Textbook scarcity and poor quality exacerbate the issue. Outdated textbooks (average age: 5 years) hinder students’ understanding of contemporary concepts (Ahmad-2024). The Pakistan Education Commission (2024) reports 1:44 teacher-student ratio, further straining resources.
To address these challenges, policymakers must prioritise education sector funding, increasing allocation to 4% of GDP. Implementing initiatives like infrastructure development, textbook modernisation and teacher training can transform Pakistan’s education landscape.
But the discourse shouldn’t be just limited to one particular area. In fact, a holistic approach is needed in the following areas, where doing what’s long overdue would optimize results.
Pakistan needs to pivot itself around to the following reforms for fast-paced results:
Curriculum overhaul
A revamped curriculum, aligned with international standards, is essential. The National Curriculum Framework (2017) emphasises critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills (Pakistan Education Commission, 2017). This overhaul should incorporate contemporary subjects like technology, entrepreneurship and vocational training.
Teacher training and professional development
Effective teacher training is crucial. Dr. Saeed Ahmad, Educationist, stresses, “Teachers require ongoing professional development to enhance pedagogy and subject expertise (Ahmad-2020).” Institutes like the National Academy of Education Management (NAEM) offer training programmes.
Increased budget allocation
Increased funding, from 1.77% to 4% of GDP, is vital for infrastructure development, resource allocation and teacher salaries (World Bank-2024). This allocation will bridge the education gap and promote quality education.
Improved governance and planning
Effective governance and planning ensure efficient resource utilisation. The Education Sector Reform Plan (2020) emphasises decentralisation, community engagement and stakeholder participation (Pakistan Education Commission, 2020).
Enhanced examination systems
Fair and transparent examination systems are essential. The Pakistan Education Commission recommends introducing competency-based assessments and digital evaluation tools (Pakistan Education Commission, 2020).
Addressing socio-political barriers
Socio-political barriers, like gender inequality and sectarianism, hinder education access. Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy advocates for inclusive policies and community engagement to address these challenges (Hoodbhoy, 2020).
Promoting vocational training and skill development
Vocational training and skill development programmes prepare students for the workforce. The Technical and Vocational Training Authority (TVTA) offers courses in emerging fields like technology and renewable energy.
Finally, Pakistan’s education sector stands at a critical juncture. To bridge the gap between aspirations and reality, comprehensive reforms are imperative. A revamped curriculum, enhanced teacher training, increased funding and improved governance can revolutionize education.
Stakeholder collaboration, community engagement and policy support are crucial. By pivoting around these reforms, Pakistan can transform its education landscape, empowering future generations. The time for change is now.
Let us unite to create a brighter future, where knowledge and opportunity converge. Only then can Pakistan’s potential be unleashed, and its people reach their full potential. The future begins today.