essay on higher education in pakistan

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By Hassan Shah

Higher education plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of a country. In Pakistan, higher education has seen significant growth and transformation over the years. With a population of over 220 million people, Pakistan faces both challenges and opportunities in its quest to provide quality higher education.

This article explores the state of higher education in Pakistan, its challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nizamuddin has had a distinguished career in higher education, international economic development, and public policy. Here is a summary of his background and key roles:

United Nations System: Dr. Nizamuddin has over 45 years of experience working in the United Nations System. During this time, he was involved in planning, designing, and implementing projects aimed at creating global awareness and consensus on the importance of population in socioeconomic development. He served as an advisor to governmental and nongovernmental agencies on population and development studies. His assignments took him to various countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UN Headquarters in New York.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Gujrat : Dr. Nizamuddin played a crucial role in the growth of the University of Gujrat, transforming it into one of the leading higher education institutes in the country. As Vice Chancellor, he likely focused on academic excellence and the development of the university’s programs.

Pro Vice-Chancellor at Private Universities: In addition to his role at the University of Gujrat, Dr. Nizamuddin served as a Pro Vice-Chancellor at a couple of private universities. This experience indicates his involvement in the administration and leadership of higher education institutions.

Chairperson of Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC): Dr. Nizamuddin assumed the position of Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission, where he worked to introduce significant changes in the higher education sector in the Punjab region. His focus was on promoting excellence in teaching and research, likely aiming to enhance the quality of education and research activities in the province.

Action Against Unlawful Sub-Campuses: During his tenure as the Chairperson of PHEC, Dr. Nizamuddin led efforts to address issues related to unlawful sub-campuses, affiliations, and franchises of private sector degree-awarding institutions in Punjab. The commission, under his leadership, took strict actions against such unauthorized operations, emphasizing the need for proper approvals and compliance with educational regulations. Challenges in Pakistani Higher Education

Access and Enrolment: Access to higher education remains a significant challenge in Pakistan. While the number of universities and colleges has increased in recent years, a large portion of the population still faces barriers to enrollment. Limited access is particularly pronounced in rural areas and among marginalized communities.

Quality Assurance: Maintaining high-quality education is essential for producing skilled graduates who can contribute to the country’s growth. Pakistan’s higher education system faces issues related to the quality of education, outdated curricula, and the lack of standardization in evaluation and accreditation.

Underinvestment: The underinvestment in higher education is a persistent issue. Universities often struggle to attract and retain qualified faculty, leading to issues with teaching and research. The lack of resources also hampers infrastructure development and research opportunities.

Political Interference: Higher education institutions in Pakistan have frequently experienced political interference in their administration and decision-making processes. This has led to instability and a lack of academic freedom, which are detrimental to the growth of universities and the quality of education.

Gender Disparities: While there have been notable improvements in gender parity in education, disparities still exist. Women often face social and cultural barriers that limit their access to higher education. Ensuring equal opportunities for all remains a challenge.

Curricular Relevance: The curricula in many institutions are criticized for being outdated and not aligned with the needs of a rapidly changing job market. Reforms in curriculum and teaching methods are essential to equip graduates with skills that are relevant in today’s world.

Overall, Dr. Nizamuddin’s career demonstrates his commitment to education and development, both at the national and international levels, and his willingness to take decisive actions to ensure the quality and legality of educational institutions and programs in the Punjab region. He looked for the opportunities for Improvement i.e.

Increased Funding: One of the key opportunities is increasing investment in higher education. A higher allocation of government funds and the encouragement of public-private partnerships can significantly improve the infrastructure, faculty quality, and research capabilities of universities.

Quality Assurance: Strengthening quality assurance mechanisms is crucial. Implementing rigorous accreditation and evaluation processes can ensure that institutions meet international standards, attracting students from around the world and enhancing the value of Pakistani degrees.

Research and Innovation: Fostering a culture of research and innovation is essential for the progress of higher education. Encouraging collaboration between universities and industries can help produce graduates who are better prepared for the workforce. Academic Autonomy: Ensuring academic autonomy for institutions can mitigate political interference and enable universities to make decisions in the best interest of education and research.

Curriculum Modernization: Regularly updating curricula to meet the demands of the modern job market is crucial. This can be achieved through collaboration with industry experts and international institutions.

Pakistan’s higher education system faces a series of challenges that need to be addressed for the country to harness its full potential. While these challenges are significant, there are also opportunities for improvement, ranging from increased investment to academic autonomy and gender equality. Realizing these opportunities will not only enhance the quality of education but also contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.

An experienced administrator like Dr. Nizamuddin in education can bring substantial positive changes in the system that will provide a solid base for the future of nation building. With the right strategies and commitment, Pakistan can create a thriving higher education system that empowers its citizens and prepares them for a rapidly evolving world.

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Higher Education in Pakistan: Challenges, Opportunities, Suggestions

Education Quarterly Reviews, Vol.4 No.2 (2021)

8 Pages Posted: 3 May 2021

Khan Ghulam Murtaza

Guangzhou University

Date Written: April 25, 2021

Higher education provides opportunities to censoriously reveal the cultural, moral, socio-economic, and spiritual issues faced by the human race. Pakistan's higher education system has many institutional drawbacks includes a lack of quality management, institutional structure, and knowledge gaps between cross-culture educations systems to improve the efficiency of the current higher education system in Pakistan. To make Pakistan an educational center, Pakistan must strengthen the education system by developing modern technology and higher education. This study focuses on low enrolment and dropout gaps, quality and quantity of higher education standards, infrastructure, facilities, and low-quality teaching methods. This study summarizes these problems with suggestions to improve higher education standards and quality through cross-culture developments, performance standards, teaching methods, and examination reforms in Pakistan's higher education system.

Keywords: Pakistan Higher Education, Challenges, Suggestions

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Khan Ghulam Murtaza (Contact Author)

Guangzhou university ( email ).

Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center Waihuanxi Road 230 Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006 China

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Education in Pakistan: problems, challenges and perspectives

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said and I quote:

“Education is a matter of life and death for Pakistan. The world is progressing so rapidly that without requisite advance in education, not only shall we lag behind others but maybe wiped out altogether.”

The education section of the executive summary of the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2021-22 notes: “Pakistan is committed to transform its education system into a high-quality global-market demand-driven system in accordance with Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .” However, the reality is vastly different.

The literacy rate in Pakistan in 2021 was only 62.8%. Any gains in literacy rates over the last many years have been small, slow and marginal.

In 2021-22, we spent only 1.77% of GDP on education-related expenditure at both the federal and provincial levels. Most UN agencies recommend that the minimum expenditure on education should be 4% of GDP. In recent years, the highest percentage of GDP we have spent on education was in 2017-18, when education expenditures were raised to 2.12%. The usual argument given for lack of spending on education has always been and still is that we do not have the resources.

In Pakistan, the current literacy rate is 62.3%. In Budget 1.7% of GDP has been allocated as Education Budget which is lowest in the region. The expenditure of Rs 74,609 billion has been allocated for Tertiary Education Affairs & Services in budget 2022-23; Rs 3,786 billion for pre-primary & primary education; Rs 8,863 billion for Secondary Education Affairs and Rs 2 billion for administration. Rs 44,174 billion has been earmarked for Higher Education Commission ( HEC ) under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the year 2022-23. (Business Recorder June 11, 2022).

According to data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2017-18, the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) shows Pakistan’s slow performance being ranked 129th of the 137 countries, on the Health and Primary Education related elements of competitiveness, when compared with other countries in the region like India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The structure of school education system in the public sector is depicted in Fig. below.

Figure Above: The structure of school education system in Pakistan (Pre-Primary to Higher Secondary)

Education system creates sense of responsibility among people and they come to know the methods to achieve their national, societal and personal rights and it also enhances their general consciousness needed to deliver their duties as citizens towards their Nation. Once the realization originates, people start working for the development and prosperity of their motherland in the atmosphere of trust and co-operation.

The polarization and non – unified education system has resulted into outraged political turmoil, deadly terrorism, incessant sectorial violence, social disruption, economic instability and degeneration of government system. Whether it is poverty, non-availability of jobs, security uncertainty, sectarianism or terrorism, lack of tolerance, lack of general awareness, illiteracy, all are off shoots of the poor, inefficient and ineffective education system. The lowest budget allocation, a realm of large number of ineffective education policies has badly failed to take country out of economic, social, political and development quagmire.

Education has fundamental role in the economic, social, political and structural development of any nation. Many of the economic issues like poverty , overpopulation, unemployment , resource mobilization, inflation, exchange rate drastic fluctuation, housing, infrastructure, and health can be reduced and handled by improving education system in Pakistan. Education can also solve social issues like Baradari system, Wadera Culture, Chaudary regime and slave mentality. The political issues like battle for power by different politicians, lawlessness, fraud, corruption, religious riots, extremism, processions to gain popularity, use of indecent remarks, no public service, no human investment to save the lives of ignorant and deprived humans. Structural Development like transition from primitive methodologies to modern strategies; Shifts from Agriculture to Industry, hand made tools to mechanization, from physical conventional education system to Online Education and adoption of highly sophisticated and up to the mark technology can only happen with the strong Education Policy and implementation of country’s education system.

Pakistan, since its inception has failed to establish an education system which can fulfill the aspirations of the general public. Being a developing country, Pakistan is facing multifaceted problems and issues in the education sector. There are many issues prevalent and practiced in Pakistan’s Education System at all levels of Education – primary, secondary – colleges or universities.

The educational institutions within the country are divided into following categories: (1) Pre-primary School (2) Primary School (3) Middle School (4) High School (5) Higher Secondary (6) Inter-colleges (7) Degree Colleges (8) Universities (9) Non-formal Basic Education (10) Education foundations (11) Technical & Vocational Institutions (12) Teacher Training Institutions (13) Deeni Madaris

Pakistan’s schooling system consists of three main school types namely public sector schools, private sector schools and Deeni Madaris. These are further divided as public and private mainly due to curriculum and examination systems used in the schools and the language of instructions used by teachers.

The Broad Categories on education level are:

School Education (Pre-primary – Class 12) College Education (Degree Colleges Class 13-14) University Education

The education system of Pakistan is comprised of 305,763 institutions accommodating 51,186,560 9 students and 2,073,433 teachers. The system is composed of 189,748 (62%) public institutions and 116,015 (38%) private institutions, which also include 31,115 Deeni Madaris. The public sector is serving 28.49 million (56%) students to complete their education while the remaining 22.70 million (44%) are enrolled in the private sector of education. About 38 percent private educational institutions are facilitating 44 percent of students showing a slightly higher per-institution enrolment ratio in the private sector compared to the public sector.

There are a total of 186 universities & degree awarding institutions catering to the needs of higher degree students in both public and private sectors of education. Out of these universities, 111 (60%) are working under umbrella of public sector, whereas 75 (40%) are working in the private sector.

The total enrolment in the universities and degree awarding institutions is 1.576 million. Out of these 1.266 million (80%) students are enrolled in public sector whereas, 0.309 million (20%) students are studying in private universities and degree awarding institutions. In the overall national scenario only four percent students have access to university education. The total male enrolment in the universities is 0.881 million (56%), whereas, the female enrolment is 0.695 million (44%) . There are 56,885 teachers imparting higher education to the students in these universities. Universities in the public sector employ 38,011 (67%) teachers while those in the private sector have 18,874 (33%) teachers.

The significant issues of Education system are lack of Budget Allocation, lack of Policy Implementation, Faulty examination System, Poor Infra Structure of Educational Institutions, Lack of Teacher’s quality, low enrolment, Wayward and Directionless Education system, High scale drop outs, Increasing Political Interference, Out dated curriculum, corruption, Poor Management and Supervision, lack of Uniformity, lack of research, lack of faculty training and Development, Cost of Education, Terrorist Attacks, Cultural Constraints, lack of Parent input, Widening gap between Educational Institutions and Community, lack of Academia Industry Linkage program and Learning Crisis etc.

Education is the nurturing and nourishing force for the construction of strong and impressive societal set up, prominent development and significant growth of the country. Education explores new dimensions and polishes the hidden talent, potential, capabilities and strengths of individuals and redirect these forces towards the rise of Pakistan as a powerful nation on the global horizon.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned Education System of Pakistan as the driving force behind all the national goals. In the first National Education Conference held at Karachi. It was decided that Education System will work according to the National aspirations of Pakistan and it will be truly related to the needs of the people of Pakistan. The father of Nation said, “The magnificent goal of Education sector will be to develop character of Pakistan, high sense of responsibility, social integrity, selfless service to the Nation and morality on the part of the people of Pakistan.

Critical analysis of the problems and issues of education system in Pakistan.

These are the most dominant issues and problems of our Education System which needs to be addressed and to find remedial solutions for these issues and put forward recommendations for the positive change in our prevalent Education System.

1- Lack of uniformity

The Education System is not Uniform and is based on differentiated Education System like Public Institutions, Private Institutions and Deeni Madaris. There has been accelerated polarization in the Education System due to divisive Pakistani Education System. This has penetrated into cultural veins of the Nation. The recent waves of Sectarianism and Terrorism are the consequences of this divisible system. Polarized Education System has further divided society on political, economic and social grounds instead of uniting people. This division is leading towards further segregation on linguistic and religious levels and cutting knee deep the ideological foundation of the Nation.

2- Education without direction

A sound Education System is essential for every nation of the world. All nations develop their people or human resources on the basis of rigorous focus on Education and Training . We have poor and direction less education system with lack of cohesion and more prone towards general education without creation of Skillful man power resulting into massive unemployment. It also results into massive political, social, economic and cultural distress among people. There is no use of science and technology in the education system. Students are unable to develop critical thinking, creativity, imagination, reasoning, experimentation, innovation and invention

3- Outdated curriculum

We are still following the old fashioned and outdated Education System of rote memorization, cramming the facts and figures without realizing the holistic development of individuals. The objective of Education should be development of psychological, philosophical and sociological foundations of Education. The present curriculum is not motivating learners for practical research and development, scientific knowledge and reflective observation.

4- Lack of professional development of teachers

There are few training institutes but have lack of funds, lack of resourceful and trained trainers and administers. There are no defined standards of training and development. The courses and trainings are outdated, traditional without exposure to modern technology, motivation, quality of teachers and enhancement of skills .

5- Lack of quality teacher

According to UNESCO report, the quality of educational institutions and teacher is low. The situation is grimmer in remote parts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan where there is non availability of teachers. Teachers are not using new methods of teaching and learning, no lesson planning, old method of cramming, no research, no use of libraries or internet, no book reading. Students are promoted to next class on the basis of cramming and memorization of facts and figures without knowledge in depth, no conceptualization, no understanding of topics in the books without relevance in schools.

6- Alarming dropouts

Lack of management and discipline in schools leads many students to drop out from school. This trend is due to punishment in schools, poor parenting, lack of motivation, unattractive school environment, child labor & poverty are also very significant reasons of huge drop out from schools, colleges and universities. It shows that almost 30% of children enrolled in primary education. This trend has added to low literacy rate in Pakistan.

7- Examination system

Students are evaluated on the basis of annual exams, semester wise assessments. Both quantitative and qualitative exams should be introduced to judge the performance of students on comprehensive level and exams should evaluate the student’s ability through various types of reliable assessments like case studies, research papers, MCQs, Comprehensive subjective questions, Analytical questions to check the conceptual understanding of students especially in higher classes (Rehman, 2011).

In Pakistan examination system is faulty and it tests only the memory of students, there is use of unfair means, bribery, cheating, issuance of duplicate marks sheets, changes of marks, change of answer sheets, impersonation. This present examination system has promoted rote memorization and cramming. It has badly failed in producing critical thinking, analytical skills, learning, intellectual power and visionary reflection in the students at all levels of education. It does not measure the strength, achievements and performance of students (Quereshi, 1975).

Modular system of examination in Medical Universities is producing incompetent students with insufficient knowledge of Anatomy which is the backbone of medicine studies. In modular system a single paper for three subjects is given to students. Students prepare easy subjects to pass the exam and leave the difficult and important subject of Anatomy for choice. Therefore, this method has tarnished the strong foundations of learning and performing badly. Doctors produced with such type of examination with lack of proper understanding of subject will not be able to serve the humanity honestly and do the justice with their profession.

In our education system educational institutions are used as breeding grounds for political parties and in colleges and universities these groups nurture. Students get benefits by being part of any political party during exams. A list of students is provided to the teacher by the student leader to pass them in the exam, admissions are given on the party basis, exams are marked and checked on party basis because mostly teachers are also working for parties while sitting in educational institutions. During Board or University exam by giving money to the invigilator, students are allowed to cheat in the exam, Students throw question paper outside the window and one of the party rep climbs up the tree near the window with Megaphone and starts dictating answers by calling up question numbers. Honest Teachers are threatened and sometimes gunned and killed in case they are not willing to listen to the unfair demands of the students of different parties.

Some of the teachers are also involved in malpractices. They leak the paper by charging handsome amounts or solve the papers for students or allow students to solve the papers by cheating from books, material or from some good student. In board exams, before submission of sheets to the board office representative student is asked to write down correct answers. Teachers are themselves involved in such political activities and award “F” grade to students who are not in their party.

In Russia there is no exam system like ours. Students study through out the year and at the end of year teacher can ask any question from the book to pass the candidate and check his understanding & knowledge of the subject.

8- Poor supervision standards

To monitor teaching and learning, poor and harsh standards of evaluation and punishment are used which in some case leads to termination of jobs . At primary school level teacher’s evaluation is not possible. Secondary Schools/Cambridge Schools are evaluated through Board exam results/CAIE results. In college, again Board or University exam results are the criteria to judge the academic performance of Student and Teacher’s teaching. Whereas, actually there is an increase in tuitions instead of relying on School or College teaching. Students and their parents are compelled to go for tuitions due pressure of good grades and admissions in good educational institutions. There are many tuition centres, coaching centres, academies where the same teachers who were unable to impart quality education give quality tuitions by charging heavy amounts and prepare students well to score good grades. The low salaries demotivate them in their institutions to impart good education. In Universities students are given power to evaluate teaching and their grading becomes part of an Annual Evaluation Report which is essential for promotion or benefit of the faculty. This system is again polluted by involvement of computer department staff, Student coordinators and by bribing students to give bad remarks about any teacher. Some insincere and corrupt teachers mark students’ attendance and give them good marks, tell them questions of exams and do immoral activities to get good evaluation from students. Teachers who are honest and hard working are ranked low by students. Even at higher education institutions there is lobbying and politics through which false evaluation against any faculty can be prepared to get rid of the unwanted faculty by the management. So, in short, supervision system is more prone to harassment and control over the teaching staff rather than providing proper guideline and training for the improvement of teaching methodologies & strategies. (Rehman, 2011).

9- Internal and external influence

In Education sector external factors are coming outside the system through politicians and they bring changes in the system to give favor to their families, relatives, friends etc. Internal factors are bureaucratic manipulations (Mazhar, 2011).

There is great favoritism and Nepotism in cases of transfers, Appointments, Promotions, Salaries, Grades & Work Stations. Due to this the basic Infrastructure of the Education System in Pakistan has been badly affected (LOUIS, 1987).

10- Lack of resources

There are not proper Libraries with physical space for Students to Study. Books are not available, No digital libraries, no computer Facility in the library especially in public sector colleges & universities. No proper lighting, no AC, no Generators in case of power break down are available to make studies more comfortable for the desirous and ambitious students. Class rooms are over-crowded, corridors are flooded with students, Inadequate and Inefficient teachers, Laboratories without required apparatus & equipment of practical learning have resulted into a situation of despair and low standard of Education (Louis, 1987).

11- Lack of policy implementation

Frequent political turmoil and change of governments have made policy implementation in its true letter and spirit impossible. Corruption, Lack of Resources, Lack of teacher’s involvement in policies and inconsistency in successive planning on the part of various political regimes in Pakistan. Teachers are ignored while designing Education policies which has led to alienation between teachers and the system of Education (Zaki, 1989).

12- Low budgetary allocation for education

Education system in Pakistan has been crippled mainly due allocation of scarce financial resources in budget. The Education Budget which is definitely not sufficient to fulfill the growing needs of population and involvement of modern technology in the education system, low salaries, high taxation are also hindering the growth of this sector. Taxes are even imposed on the hourly payment of visiting faculty at the rate of ten percent from filers and twenty percent from non-filers which is really unjustified and reduces the meagre earning.

In many countries like Bangladesh & Sri Lanka the Education share in total budget of the country is increasing but in Pakistan it is continuously declining (Sayan, 2012).

13- Corruption

Corruption is another factor responsible for deterioration of the Education System, use of unfair means, nepotism, favors in transfer, promotion and appointments and decision making, misuse of funds, use of illegal authority by the school management, Gender based exploitation and harassment are the subsidiaries of corruption .

14- Lack of faculty training and development

Educational institutions do not spend available funds on the training and development of teachers. They are neither sent to attend the workshops, courses, seminars or conferences to groom themselves and learn the modern techniques and methodologies of teaching. Here again only few favorite teachers are selected for these trainings and most of the teachers remain deprived of any opportunity to groom their teaching skills.

15- Non- availability of public transport/ parking/traffic congestion

Most of the private schools are located in residential areas usually in bungalows to avoid taxes. Here the big issue is non-availability of public transport, parking and traffic congestion on daily basis. This makes both students and teachers tired and stressed because of wastage of lots of time of travelling to and from school to home. This unnecessary delay in timings also affects the quality of education. Mostly schools do not provide their conveyance to students, teachers and staff but ask them to avail transport of the companies with which the senior management set commission.

16- Opening up of large nuber of private schools

There is opening up of various private schools with a shift from Matric system to O & A level with Up-to-date modern technologies. They have comparatively better infrastructure, spacious class rooms, low strengths of class, more trained teachers, with proper sanitary conditions, counselors, doctors, psychologist, its teachers, sports teacher, swimming pools, etc. Creativity of students is enhanced through various activities. These facilities are missing in public schools so parents prefer to send their children to nearby private schools.

17- Politics in education

Different political parties prepare their representatives amongst students. Different teachers also involve them in this exercise as party members. These teacher in exchange of this get favors and benefits from parties by helping their students in getting admissions, provision of question papers, awarding of good grades as per list provided by the party.

18- Compulsion to purchase stationery, syllabus, uniforms and other items from school shop

School management compels parents to purchase the required stationery, syllabus, uniforms and all other required study material from their own school’s shop where the rates are too high as compared to the open market. This puts burden on the finances of the family and parents have to change the school or leave the school. The school charge fess for 3 moths and invest this amount in different profit schemes to earn interest on it.

During COVID-19 pandemic when due lock down schools were closed and even online classes were not in practice, school charged full fee from the students and parents had no option except listening to the management and doing as they demand to keep admission of their child locked and secured.

19- Entry tests, coaching and paper out

All the admissions have been linked with admission test in more or less all institutions making the credibility of different schools, boards, colleges and universities doubtful just to give benefits to the students who are non-deserving and not coming on merit with their results. Every year we hear about MCAT test, usually tests are postponed or test paper is out and re-exam is arranged and many of the students with good grades are pushed out of the admission list. The private colleges have their own test criteria and select students as per their own policies and even charge fees as per their own policies. Most of the deserving, hard working students due to the demand of heavy fees are forced to move towards some other institution. Every year PMDC is dissolved. For these entry tests students join academies, tuition centres and coaching centre and pay high charges to prepare for admission in all these high ranked Engineering and Medical institutes.

These admission tests are introduced to favor their own families, relatives, friends or workers of the political parties to strengthen their vote bank in their constituency.

These tests are fake, their results are fake, the merit lists displayed are fake. In this way many deserving students do not get chance to pursue education of their own choice.

20- Theoretical knowledge inplace of practical learning

Students are given only bookish theoretical knowledge instead of practical knowledge. Most of the students even after getting degrees do not meet the requirement of jobs and are unable to be absorbed in the working population. Students should be sent at least for one semester in organizations before their graduation so that they may become acquainted with the office environment and familiar with the working of different reputable organizations. Activities, Role plays, Case Studies, Worksheets, Research Projects, Seminars, Symposiums, Lecture Series, Events should be organized for the students with their hundred percent involvement so the students not only own the activity but get an opportunity to meet influential people from big companies of reputable brands.

21- Lack of liaison between industry and educational institutions

Mostly universities have no liaison with industries and therefore their students face problems at the time of induction. Universities should invite industrialists to teach courses especially in the last two semester of their studies so that students can learn about the ins and outs of the industrial workings and may get a chance of absorption in the industry as employees.

22- Non-participatory in nation building

Education Sector is not playing any role in Nation Building. Our Education System is producing students with mindset that only foreign countries are providing good education and to get good job it is necessary to become foreign graduates. Mostly Students lack patriotism, civic sense, loyalty and love for their homeland and people living here and treat them as inferior to the foreign world. So being Status conscious and due ostentatious effect our crème has moved abroad for higher education. On the other hand, students who get them enrolled here in Pakistan after getting degrees and job search find it best to move abroad for higher studies, job and career growth. Once they get job, they prefer to stay there on permanent basis and become citizens of that country with dual nationality status. Our best youth has settled in European Countries, USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa and Gulf Region and rendering their best services and earning handsome salaries and maintaining luxury life styles in those countries without any fear of security, terrorist attacks, bomb blasts, sectarian riots, traffic congestions, pollution, Smog, energy Shortage etc. By being there they feel satisfied and happy. They do not send any remittances here instead they are calling up their families, relatives and friends to come and transfer their assets to those countries making Pakistan’s economy weaker with this outflow of resources. Our Doctors, Engineers, Architects, Retired Army Officers, Bankers, health workers paramedical staff, skilled labor, business graduates, pilots, Air men, Air Technicians, Aircraft Engineers, Educationists, Insurance Agents, Scientists and Researcher have moved to Western countries and are not willing to come back or serve the Nation.

23- Pupil teacher, pupil school and teacher school ratio

These ratios are very important. If there are more peoples in one class then teacher cannot give individual attention to students. Weak students are neglected and gap between strong and weak students widens. If pupil school ratio increases then infrastructure does not accommodate the increased number of students and in place of two students, three or four students are asked to sit. Other facilities like availability of labs, computers, access to canteens, sports items, playgrounds, washrooms etc. become less for the large number of people. If schools have low number of teachers hirings then work load for one teacher is overburdened and individual attention, mood, behavior, marking of copies/assignments or imparting of quality education is disturbed. The ideal class size is 30 students at most for one teacher but in our universities sometimes more than 100 students are accommodated in one class.

24- Non-availability of electricity

Load shedding and energy crisis in the country has devastatingly ruined the quality of education. In summer when the weather is hot and humid, then in the class of 68-70 students when teacher has very limited space to move, then there is suffocation, lack of oxygen, smell of sweat and loss of student’s attention in studies. This is a source of big demotivation for students and teachers and they want to leave.

25- Non-availability of drinking and washing water in toilets

In most of the schools clean drinking water is not available. Mostly the washrooms are not cleaned on regular basis so health hazards are faced by the students and teachers especially female students suffer a lot because of this. Mostly, schools’ students suffer from cholera, diarrhea, typhoid etc.

26- Non-availability of boundary wall

There are many schools in villages, towns and even cities where schools are working without boundary walls, which has become a security hazard.

27- Terrorist attacks and child killing

Terrorist attacks in schools like APS, Peshawar where a large number of students were killed. Schools are force to provide security to students. Attacks on students, teachers, on school buses, entrance of school buildings have decreased enrollment in schools.

28- Female students and female teachers’ harassment

Female students and female teachers are sexually harassed by male teachers. Many students are threatened not to speak against the culprit. In universities many male teachers award good grades to female students after their sexual assault. In jobs, females involved in such type of illicit activities and involved with the management get all kind of benefits of increments; increase in salaries, courses abroad, promotions and in some cases female faculty was awarded PhD degrees even when their research work was not up to the mark and rejected by external supervisors.

29- Parent’s input for improvement of education system at all levels

Parents should be involved at all education levels to maintain the high standards of education and learning.

30- Cost of education

The economic cost is higher in private schools and they are located in rich localities only though they provide better quality of education. Public schools ensure equitable access but low-quality education.

31- Cultural constraints and traditional taboos

Due to cultural constraints and traditional taboos parents prefer early marriages of their girls instead of sending them to schools. Similarly, mothers feel comfortable when girls stay home and help mothers in baby sitting and finishing household chores. In some of the areas only boys are sent to schools considering them as head of the future families and girls are asked to learn some family skills like embroidery, weaving, pottery or for cattle care.

32- Illiteracy of parents and parental concerns

Due to non – availability of Education and lack of awareness poor parents have number of children in the hope that they will become their earning hands and instead of sending them to school their mothers working in different houses as domestic help take them along for the baby sitting of the children of theses houses and demand money for that. They think that investing girls will be of benefit to the in laws or her husband since they will not get any return from it so its better as long as girls are staying in their homes they should earn and bring money for the family.

33- Learning crisis:

The education system is not producing students who are learning from education as per the requirement of the standard in which they are studying. Maybe a student studying in class five does have the knowledge of class two or three only. This Learning Crisis has become the biggest issue of our current education system. It means there is wide gap between school input and school output.

34- Distance:

There are many schools which are far from some of villages and there are no means of transportation and children have to walk on foot to reach schools miles away from their homes which is not possible for girl students to do as parents do not want to send their girls unattended and do not accompany them since they have to work to meet both ends.

Recommendations:

• Budget allocation should be increased as per international standards of education.
• Schools should be shifted on solar system to handle the issue of load shedding.
• Pupil teacher, pupil school and teacher school ratios should be balanced and class strength, teacher’s number and number of classrooms should be in accordance to the international education standards.
• Boundary walls should be made. Security staff should be hired, CCTV cameras should be installed, student teacher and staff should be issued identity cards.
• For teacher training and development quality professional institutes with sufficient funds should be set up.
• Political and bureaucratic influence should be minimized at all educational levels.
• The system of accountability should be strengthened and all associated in education system are trained to own responsibilities both at individual and collective basis.
• Curriculum should be revised on annual basis and new strategies and methods should be incorporated to align our education system with other countries.
• Examination system should be made free of unfair means, Mafia culture and illegal gratification. Supervision and monitoring should be strong to subside this element.
• Policies should be implemented with delay and in continuity to get their outcomes.
• The culture of research should be promoted in the educational institutions.
• There should be Academia industrial linkage programs to make our education practical and our students capable of absorption in the job market.
• Introduction of technical and vocational trainings at secondary schools.
• Increasing public expenditure on education and skill generation from 2.7% of GDP to 5% of GDP and then to 7% of GDP.
• Reduce polarization and try to introduce uniform standards at all types of schools.
• Enhance the scale and quality of education in general and the scale and quality of scientific/technical education in Pakistan in particular.

Conclusion:

Sense education is developing not only mind but it also cleans and grooms our body and soul. We not only get education for economic reason but to handle social, political, psychological, ethical, legal and spiritual issues of our life. Education turns a raw human into a polished human being which becomes human capital of any nation and key to the development of that country. With education many countries are ruling the world and have become leaders in the comity of nations. The current system has made our younger generation direction directionless and uncertain about their future so they are leaving Pakistan and settling down in developed countries. The lawlessness, fear of loss of life, terrorist attacks, unemployment, inflation, exchange rate fluctuation, overpopulation, poverty, taxes and IMF loans are producing forces of degree holders without any vision, mission, critical thinking, reflection, analysis, research and creativity. Our outdated curriculum is pushing our youth towards stone age instead of directing them towards the fast-changing technology driven world. Traditional teaching is giving theoretical knowledge to students but practical learning is missing.

Finally, education reforms are the only solution to change the existing education system so following recommendations are suggested for the policy makers, thinkers, researchers, educationists and common people. Hope it will add value in the research and development of both student and teachers.

References:

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Pakistan’s Higher Education System

History, Status, Assessment

• Reference work entry
• First Online: 29 August 2021
• pp 977–1008
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• Pervez Hoodbhoy 3  

Part of the book series: Global Education Systems ((GES))

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Higher education in Pakistan is analyzed here within the context of the country’s historical and political development. Critical for understanding the present is a description of the state of education of Muslims well before the partition of India. From 1947 onwards, growth periods in higher education are identified and their impact evaluated. The benefits of increased access are weighed against the problems created by the post-2002 rapid expansion of the university system. Academic freedom and campus culture are examined together with the role universities have played in fostering terrorism. The most vexing issue is to define quality of education, without which comparisons are meaningless. It is argued that at least for the hard sciences, and probably social sciences and humanities as well, the present international ranking system is inadequate and education specialists need to come up with a general framework that takes into account ground realities specific to countries like Pakistan.

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Hoodbhoy, P. (2021). Pakistan’s Higher Education System. In: Sarangapani, P.M., Pappu, R. (eds) Handbook of Education Systems in South Asia. Global Education Systems. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0032-9_64

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Higher Education in Pakistan Ills and Remedies

• Essays, Outlines
• Jan 20, 2023
• Noshin Bashir

Table of Contents

1.      Introduction

Higher education is a tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Pakistan has a diverse higher education system that includes universities, colleges, and other institutions offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields of study. It includes not only universities and colleges but also various vocational schools that provide preparation in fields such as medicine, theology, business, law, music and art. Annually, on average, 480,000 students graduated from universities across the Pakistan out of which only 172,000 graduates were able to acquire jobs. This is undoubtedly one of the major concerns of Pakistani students as most of them struggles with the issues of unemployment. This is due to the some of the issues in our education system. Before diving down into ills and remedies, have a brief introduction about types of education and higher education setup in Pakistan.

2.      Types of Education

• Formal education: Refers to structured and organized learning that takes place in an institutional setting, typically delivered by trained educators and follows a predetermined curriculum, leading to recognized credentials such as diplomas, degrees, or certifications.
• Informal education: Refers to learning that occurs outside of formal institutional settings, often through experiential, self-directed, or incidental learning processes, and is not typically structured or recognized by traditional credentials.

3.      An Overview of Higher Education Setup in Pakistan

• Statutory position: Refers to the legally defined roles, responsibilities, and authority assigned to educational institutions, organizations, or individuals by relevant laws, regulations, and policies, which dictate their official status and functions in the education system.
• Administrative system: Refers to the organizational structure, processes, and procedures put in place to manage and oversee the operation, management, and coordination of educational institutions and programs, including decision-making, resource allocation, and policy implementation.
• Institutes: Refers to an organization or establishment that provides specialized instruction, training, or research in a particular field of study, often leading to certifications, diplomas, degrees, or other credentials.

4.      Ills Predominant in Higher Education System of Pakistan

Following are some of the ills predominant in higher education system of Pakistan:

• Curriculum-related Ills
• Curriculum not in consonance with domestic needs
• Presence of mistakes and errors
• More focus on mere theories
• Uninteresting and monotonous descriptions
• Lack of analytical approach
• No focus on character-building
• Examination-related Ills
• No testing of analytical skills
• Inconsistent style of grading
• Use of unfair means in examination halls
• Infrastructure-related Ills
• Lack of institutes
• Overcharging by private-sector institutions
• Missing necessary facilities
• Human Resource-related Ills
• Lack of skills and expertise
• Lack of motivation in members of faculty
• Meager strength of faculties
• Meager strength of support staff
• High dropout ratio at elementary level
• Teaching Methodology-related Ills
• No focus on conceptual study
• Promotion and encouragement of cramming
• Monotonous style of teaching

5.      Factors Responsible for the Presence of Ills

• Budgetary constraints: Pakistan’s education sector has historically received low budget and investment, with inadequate funding allocated for higher education. Limited financial resources have resulted in insufficient infrastructure, outdated facilities, and a lack of resources for research and innovation, all of which have contributed to the challenges faced by higher education institutions.
• Commercialization of education: The lack of commercialization of education has limited the access to quality education, compromised academic standards, and a narrow focus on market-driven programs.
• Outdated Curricula and Teaching Methods: The curricula and teaching methods in higher education institutions in Pakistan are often criticized for being outdated, theoretical, and lacking in practical relevance. This mismatch between the curriculum and the changing needs of the job market has led to a gap in skills development and employability of graduates.
• Myopic vision of the policymakers: The myopic vision of policymakers has resulted in inadequate long-term planning, limited investment in infrastructure and resources, and a narrow focus on immediate economic returns, contributing to the ills of the education system.
• Poor growth of economy: The poor growth of the economy in Pakistan can be attributed, in part, to the negative impacts of commercialization of higher education, such as limited access to quality education, compromised academic standards, and a narrow focus on market-driven programs.
• Shortage of Qualified Faculty: Many institutions of higher education in Pakistan face a shortage of qualified and experienced faculty. This can result in overcrowded classrooms, limited opportunities for research and innovation, and compromised quality of teaching and mentoring, which in turn affects the overall quality of higher education.
• Persistently-rampant corruption: Corruption in education sector refers to the pervasive and persistent occurrence of unethical practices, such as bribery, cheating, nepotism, and other forms of corruption, that undermine the integrity and quality of the education system in Pakistan, leading to negative impacts on the overall higher education landscape.
• Limited Research and Innovation Culture: The culture of research and innovation in higher education institutions in Pakistan is relatively weak, with limited investment in research infrastructure, funding, and collaborative opportunities with industry. This results in low research output, limited innovation, and a lack of cutting-edge knowledge creation and dissemination.
• Governance and Management: Weak governance and management structures in higher education institutions, including lack of autonomy, corruption, and nepotism, have resulted in mismanagement, inefficiencies, and politicization of higher education in Pakistan. This has hampered the overall effectiveness and performance of higher education institutions.

6.      Impacts of Flawed Higher Education System

• Scarcity of talent and skills
• Increasing unemployment and underemployment
• Withering impacts on various sectors of economy
• Social degradation
• Deteriorated image of the state
• Increase in lawlessness and crime

7.      Recommendations for the removal of Ills of the Higher Education Sector

• Devising meticulously-planned, sharply-focused, and thoroughly-integrated policies
• Tapping of indigenous mineral, geographical and human resources to enhance the availability of funds
• Mature, responsible and objective role of media for the upgrade of moral standards of the society
• Adequately funding higher education institutions, providing modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and technology resources
• Providing professional development opportunities for faculty, including training, research methodologies, and modern teaching techniques
• Promoting an entrepreneurial mind-set among students and faculty, and fostering innovation & creativity
• Allocating sensible budget to bring innovation in higher education
• Enhancing the leadership and management capacity of higher education institutions
• Introduction of civil service reforms to enhance the bureaucratic structure
• Focus on skills development of education-related human resource
• Strictly monitor the regulatory mechanism to curb the commercialization of education
• For maximum utilization of available resources, devise proper pragmatic policies
• Annual revision and upgrade of curriculum
• Utilize such technology that improve the examination standards
• Improve perks to attract best brains for education sector

8.      Conclusion

Overall, addressing these challenges and implementing remedies to improve higher education in Pakistan would require a multi-pronged approach involving government policies, institutional reforms, stakeholder collaboration, and a commitment to excellence and innovation.

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Essay on Education In Pakistan in 1000 Words

English Essay on Education in Pakistan with Outlines & Facts in Easy Language For Students of All Classes Hello readers! Welcome to an insightful journey through the realm of education in Pakistan. Education is a vital tool that has the super power to transform lives, communities & even nations. In this essay on education in Pakistan we shall explore the historical evolution of the education system in Pakistan, its current state, the key challenges it faces & the initiatives and recommended educational reforms that aim to improve education in our beloved country. So, let’s start reading the main part of Education in Pakistan essay!

Table of Contents

Historical Overview of Education in Pakistan:

If we want to understand the present situation of education in Pakistan then it is essential to take a glimpse into the past. The educational system in Pakistan has evolved over time. It has also shaped by the influence of various civilizations. The early education system was primarily focused on religious education. Madrasas were playing a vital role in imparting knowledge. However, the British colonial era introduced a modern education system. This new system was emphasizing on English as the medium of instruction.

During the post-independence period, Pakistan faced numerous challenges in establishing a robust education system. Despite these hurdles, the govt made significant efforts to expand access to education & improve literacy rates. Today, Pakistan boasts a diverse education landscape that includes public and private schools, colleges, universities, vocational institutes & religious seminaries.

Current State of Education in Pakistan:

Its an admitted fact that progress has been made in educational system of Pakistan  but the current state of education in Pakistan is still a cause for concern., According to UNESCO, Pakistan has 1 of the highest out-of-school children rates globally as approximately 22.8 million children are out of school . This alarming statistic highlights the pressing need for interventions to ensure all children have access to quality education atleast at school level

Gender disparity is another significant issue plaguing the education system in Pakistan. Girls face multiple barriers like cultural norms, poverty & security concerns. These barriers hinder their access to education. This gender gap not only deprives girls of their basic right to education but also hampers the nation’s development potential.

Challenges Faced by the Education System in Pakistan:

The education system in Pakistan faces various challenges both systemic and socio-cultural in nature. Inadequate infrastructure, lack of trained teachers & scarcity of resources are major hurdles to providing quality education in Pakistan. Many public sector schools lack basic facilities like proper classrooms, electricity, clean drinking water & sanitation facilities. All these issues make it challenging for students to learn in a conducive environment.

Moreover socio-cultural factors like child labour, early marriages & societal biases against girls’ education perpetuate the cycle of illiteracy. These challenges are further exacerbated by govt policies that often fail to prioritize education or allocate sufficient funds for its development.

Initiatives & Reforms for Improving Education in Pakistan:

Despite the challenges, numerous initiatives & reforms have been undertaken to improve education in Pakistan. The govt, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) & individuals have played significant roles in addressing educational challenges.

The federal govt has launched programs like the National Education Policy, which aims to enhance access, quality & equity in education. Additionally the establishment of the PM scholarships, free laptops and fee reimbursement schemes have provided financial assistance to deserving students for enabling them to pursue higher education.

NGOs like Zindagi trust, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, The Citizens Foundation (TCF), Akhuwat, Fauji Foundation, Bunyad Foundation and Developments in Literacy (DIL) have also made commendable contributions by establishing schools in remote areas & offering scholarships to underprivileged students. Moreover individuals like Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel laureate and education activist have raised global awareness about the importance of education and advocating for girls’ right to education.

Impact of Education on Society and Economy:

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping society & driving economic growth. A well-educated population is more likely to participate actively in civic affairs, contribute to the workforce and make informed decisions . Education empowers individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty by fostering social progress & equality.

Moreover education equips individuals with the necessary job oriented skills & knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy. By investing in education, Pakistan can unlock its human capital potential, promoting innovation, entrepreneurship & sustainable economic development.

Future of Education in Pakistan

In my personal views the future of education in Pakistan is bright as government is spending more on primary and higher education. Girls are being encourged to join schools. Interest free student loans are being disbursed by many banks. Lot of NGOs are contributing too in this sector. Akhuwat has launched first free university in Pakistan. HEC is arranging foreign scholarships for local students. Lot of new universities have been given charter. Lot of educational websites have been launched in Pakistan to promote education and serve this noble cause like studysolutions.pk and arqumhouse.edu.pk etc. Digiskills is providing access to free IT courses in Pakistan. TEVTA is also there for technical education.

New Initiatives

Many universities have also launched their online and distance learning programs to facilitate the students from remote areas. Sindh government is giving scholarships to large number of school going girls. New Single National Curriculum (SNC) has been launched in the country. Modern education is being introduced in Madaris. 2 years BA/BSc and MA/MSc  programs have been replaced with the 4 years BS programs. Lot of new BS programs have been launched as per the needs of local and international job markets.

Importance of Technical Education (Essay For College Students)

Conclusion:

In short the education is a fundamental right & a powerful tool for social transformation and economic prosperity. However the education system in Pakistan still faces numerous challenges that hinder access, quality & equality. It is crucial for all stakeholders, including the government, NGOs and individuals to prioritize education and work collectively to address these challenges.

Let us join hands and support initiatives that aim to improve education in Pakistan. Every child of the world deserves the opportunity to learn, grow & realize their full potential. Together we can unlock the power of knowledge & pave the way for a brighter future for Pakistan. Hopefully you have enjoyed reading this essay on education In Pakistan .

Forgiveness Essay in 1600 Words For College Students With FAQs & Outlines

I am a professional content writer and have experience of 10 years. I also launched first ever English monthly magazine of human rights in Pakistan. Majority of content on this website is written by me.

• Intermediate Admissions
• Undergraduate & Graduate (Public Universities) Admissions
• UCP Programmes Admissions
• Rules and Regulations
• Scholarships & Fee Concessions
• F.A Humanities
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Higher Education Scope in Pakistan

Higher education is of great importance in life and helps every person who seeks to move up the career ladder and achieve impressive success in the professional field.

Table of Contents

Higher Education Develops Personality

Every person who has a master degree almost finds difficulty in getting a good job. All employers require higher education from candidates and at least minimal work experience. If you want to work in your preferred department then you should have specialization in that field.

By Studying in a higher educational institution, a person not only receives certain knowledge, but he or she develops his personality.

Employment Opportunities after Higher Education

Employment after obtaining a higher education scope in Pakistan , will become easy whenever we compare it with other traditional degrees. For example, a doctorate degree will have much weight in front of an M.S degree.

A good higher education will allow you to make a successful career in the future, find a prestigious position and earn good money. To see the rise for a more prestigious position, you must have professional knowledge and skills.

For some specialties, one can say like a lawyer, a bank employee or a physician, higher education is necessary, without special knowledge, getting success in these professions will be impossible.

Higher education will help to find a job faster, since most employers primarily select candidates for the post who are graduated with higher education.

In other words, if you want to make a successful career or open your own business, then you need to undergo training to gain certain knowledge. You do not have practical experience to start business after obtaining the final degree but at least you know all ins and outs for conducting business transactions.

Higher education as Human Development

As you know, learning is light, and ignorance is darkness. This phrase, which has become legendary, directly indicates that the acquisition of knowledge is a fundamental factor in human development. 

At the same time, if you abandon this, then many of the basics of life will not be clear to us, which means that this will cause a lot of problems in the future.One of these problems will be, for example, finding a right job that suits our needs as well as personality. 

The employer is interested in highly qualified specialists who can not only provide the necessary information about some specific task, but also skillfully demonstrate their skills during the work process. If there are no such skills, then you will have to show patience with a low-paying job. Obviously, it will not be a good sign for your future.

Fortunately, you can get higher education in most countries of the world that are actively developing educational programs for everyone. Each person has the right to choose the profession of interest, and get specialized knowledge.

It should be noted that the educational process in higher education institutions can be both paid and free. It all depends on how much the potential student is having and what his grades are? If someone has strong educational backgrounds, then quite reasonable scholarship schemes he or she can avail. For example, PGC and UCP contribute to our society by giving aid for talented students with an intention to promote higher education in Pakistan.

E-Paper | August 25, 2024

Pakistan’s education system in ‘low’ performance category: report.

ISLAMABAD: An official report released on Friday placed the country’s education system in the ‘low’ performance category and highlighted critical areas requiring attention to improve the education outcomes.

The District Education Performance Index (DEPIx) Report 2020-23 released by the Planning Commission stated, “Pakistan’s national average score in the DEPIx is 53.46, placing the country in the “low” performance category.

Among the five domains, infrastructure and access scored the highest at 58.95, indicating some progress in expanding educational opportunities. Inclusion (equity and technology) follows as the second-highest domain.“

It said public financing recorded the lowest score, highlighting the 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 learning, still falls in the “low” category, mainly due to teacher shortages and high bureaucratic turnover,” it said.

None of 134 districts falls within ‘very high’ performance category, only Islamabad in ‘high’ category

The report said that over the past decades, the country has reached middle-income status and made commendable progress in developing its human capital. However, this progress has been slower than that of other developing countries and regional peers.

The slow pace of human capital development poses challenges not only to realising the potential demographic dividend but also to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and attaining upper-middle-income status by 2047.

The report said among the critical factors in human capital development, providing quality and inclusive education is paramount. In 2010, the parliament devolved policy, administrative and fiscal authority over education to the provinces and enshrined the right to free education as a fundamental right through Article 25-A of the Constitution.

Since then, provincial governments have enacted compulsory education laws, increased budgetary allocations for school education and implemented various governance and data reforms.

Notably, reforms in the education data regime have improved the availability of data on education indicators. Notwithstanding these efforts, the complexity, breadth and fragmentation of education data have often made it challenging for policymakers and stakeholders to use it effectively in decision-making.

To address these issues and support the education emergency declared by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in May, the Planning Commission integrated various school education indicators into composite scorecards.

The DEPIx is structured across five domains: infrastructure and access, learning, inclusion (equity and technology), governance and management and public financing. It covers 134 districts across Pakistan, including Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, Sindh and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Besides highlighting the national overview, the report also included the provincial overview. It said Punjab emerged as the top-performing province with a composite score of 61.39 followed by KP with a score of 54.88 while Sindh and Balochistan lagged behind with scores of 51.49 and 45.70, respectively.

Pertaining to the district-level insights, the report said none of the 134 districts fall within the “very high” performance category and only Islamabad falls into the “High” category, making it an outlier as the highest-performing districts.

Alarmingly, the report adds that more than half of Pakistan’s districts (76) fall into the “Low” performance category. These low-performing districts are predominantly in Balochistan and Sindh with 33 districts in Balochistan and 22 in Sindh. Notably, all districts of Balochistan fall in the “Low” education performance category, indicating severe challenges across the province.

Apart from the ICT, the top 10 districts are exclusively from Punjab and KP - seven from Punjab and two from KP. No districts from Sindh or Balochistan are represented among the top 10.

Regarding the intra-provincial disparities, the report said significant variations in education performance exist within provinces. KP exhibits the greatest intra-provincial differences, with districts like Haripur, Chitral and Abbottabad among the top performers while Kolai Palas, Upper Kohistan and Lower Kohistan ranking among the lowest.

There is nearly a 30-point gap between the best and worst-performing districts in KP. Punjab and Balochistan show the least intra-provincial variation, with Punjab’s districts mostly falling into the medium category and all of Balochistan’s districts in the low category. Sindh has moderate variation with most districts in the “low” category except for the urban districts of Karachi and Hyderabad.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2024

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