Education System in Pakistan

Introduction:

Pakistan is the fifth largest population in the world with a total of approximately 221 million people,
whereas 37 percent of population lives in urban areas, and about 55 percent of the population are
under 24 years of age.

The Government of Pakistan is working across various initiatives to provide quality education to all
its citizens. English has traditionally been the primary language of instruction in private schools.
Despite the government’s attempts to raise it, the literacy rate in Pakistan has remained steady at
approximately 60 percent since 2014-15, with a 78 percent literacy rate in urban areas and 59
percent in rural areas.

The government’s 2021-22 Pakistan Economic Survey estimates that from 2020-21 there were 14.4
million students enrolled in pre-primary education, 25.7 million in primary education (grades 1-5),
approximately 8.3 million in middle education (grade 6-8), 4.5 million in secondary education (grade
9-10), and 2.5 million in higher-secondary education (grade 11-12). The survey further indicates
there were approximately 500,000 students enrolled in technical & vocational education,
approximately 760,000 in degree-awarding colleges, and 1.96 million students in universities in
2020-21.

Pakistan has about 183,900 functional primary schools, 48,300 middle schools, 32,000 secondary
schools, 6,000 higher/ secondary/intermediate colleges, and 3,800 technical & Vocational institutes
in the country. Pakistan has over 200 universities and 3,000-degree colleges across the country.

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Secondary/Higher Secondary Education System:

Pakistan’s national education system comprises twelve years education spread across four levels:
primary (grades 1-5), middle school (grades 6-8), matriculation (grades 9 and 10) and intermediate
(grades 11 and 12). Many of the private schools offer the Cambridge education system in
conjunction with the nationally mandated curriculum.

Degree Awarding Institutions/Universities in Pakistan:

Pakistan has 218 universities in both public and private sector accredited by the Higher Education
Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. Almost all major disciplines are taught in these
institutions/universities.

Government Initiatives and Policies:

Education has been one of the government’s top priorities in Pakistan. In 2014, the government
launched the Pakistan 2025 Vision, a national strategic plan. The top two of its 25 goals center on
the education sector and, by 2025, seek to:

 Increase primary school enrollment and graduation rates to 100 percent, and a 90 percent
literacy rate.
 Increase higher education enrollment from 7 percent to 12 percent and increase the number of
PhD scholars from 7,000 to 15,000.

To support these goals, the government allocated approximately one percent of the total federal
budget to education-related efforts which, in FY 2022-23 totaled PKR 90.5 billion (approx. $427
million) of which PKR 74.6 billion (approx. $ 351 million) was allocated for Tertiary Education Affairs
and Services. The Higher Education Commission received PKR 44.174 billion (approx. $ 208 million).

Over the last year Pakistan introduced the Single National Curriculum (SNC) for grades 1-5, which has
yet to be implemented. Under the SNC, all students, both public and private, would receive equal
educational opportunities. The SNC is derives from the “One Nation, One Curriculum” concept. The
SNC also seeks to address the needs of minorities by allowing them to study their own religion, i.e.,
Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Baha’i, and Kalasha faiths for grade 1-5. However, its
implementation requires a broad-based integrated consultation exercise among different education
sectors.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan introduced a policy in 2020 based on initiatives
from the Pakistani Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), for Pakistani schools to establish international

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campuses to improve their own standing while enabling the HEIs to offer their education programs
to an international market.

The HEC’s Travel Grant Program offers funding opportunities for Pakistani researchers and scholars.
Under this program the HEC will directly reimburse schools that accept participants that are
accepted in their study or research programs, both within Pakistan and internationally.

To remedy the traditional lack of attention given to Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) sector, the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training introduced a national “Skills
for All” strategy in 2021, designed to address the needs of unskilled and economically challenged
segments of the population and enable them to participate in the economy.

There has been a marked increase in the number of Pakistani students pursing education abroad.
Pakistan introduced a policy “Pakistani HEIs Offering Degree Programs in Collaboration with Foreign
Universities”, in January 2020. The policy is designed to promote cross-border education
opportunities and to increase collaboration between Pakistani and international schools. The
program comprises various elements and opportunities for participants and partner institutions,
including the award of a singular degree by a foreign partner university to participants completing
studies in their home country.

The HEC introduced a Faculty Exchange Program in 2019, to enhance teaching and research
collaboration between Pakistani institutions and faculty members with international partner
institutions.

Sub-Sectors:

Open Doors Statistics 2020/21;

 2,858 students are enrolled in Graduate programs, a decline of 2.5 percent from the previous
year.
 3,044 students are enrolled in Undergraduate programs, a decline of 7.6 percent from the
previous year.
 101 students are enrolled in non-degree programs, a decline of 62.9 percent from the previous
year.
 1,441 students are enrolled in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs, a 2.2 percent increase
over the previous year.

Opportunities:

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There is a strong and growing demand for private education in Pakistan with an increase in
enrollments from urban areas. The leading, private schools in Pakistan often operate multiple
campuses across the country, mostly in urban areas. There are only a handful of American schools
operating in Pakistan catering to the higher end of the economic demographic. Despite high tuition
fees charged by private schools, the Pakistani market remain largely untapped by for U.S. institutions
and represents an opportunity to compete against those schools offering the Cambridge system.

International schools rely heavily on student recruitment firms to attract Pakistani students. A
significant number of Pakistani students turn to their student counselors and recruiting agencies
when deciding on where to pursue their education abroad and, as such, U.S. institutions can
strengthen their presence by establishing a strong network of representation across the country.

Pakistani students, especially those in master’s and PhD programs have a strong preference to
pursue their studies abroad, opening the way for U.S. schools to attract this segment of the market
through partnership programs with reputable local universities, especially in business education,
engineering & technology, etc.

Collaboration programs include curriculum development, faculty development, research &

development, and exchange programs. Since 2005 the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan has funded the
largest Fulbright Program in the world and, per the U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP),
plans to award approximately 150 Fulbright scholarships in 2022. Additionally, the Higher Education
Commission of Pakistan, in partnership with the USG, plans to fund 25 PhDs annually.

Pakistan hopes to achieve many of the priority goals laid out in its Pakistan’s Vision 2025 via the “US-
Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarship Program”, established in June 2015 by the U.S. and
Pakistani governments. The ten-year plan includes awarding scholarships to 1,000 exceptional
Pakistani students to attend US universities.

Virtual Learning is an emerging concept in the academia and professional world. Students and
professionals in Pakistan also choose distance learning for international certification, diploma, and
degree program for their career growth, though the tendency is not high. Trend to distance learning
is elevating in Pakistan after pandemic, and travel restrictions phase. Current inflation conditions in
Pakistan might attract student’s preferences for virtual learning for their advance education and
professional skills.

Educational Reforms in Pakistan

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In the period since October 1999, several major initiatives have been taken to bring about structural
reforms in the education sector. The thrust of these reforms is achieving universal primary education
and adult literacy, improving the quality of education, a focus on technical and vocational education,
and reform of madrassah education. In Punjab and Sindh provinces, education up to matric levels
has been made compulsory and free. The Punjab Education Sector Reform Program (PERSP),
implemented with the support of the World Bank, has set up a workable model of expanding access,
and improving governance and quality of education. Provision of free textbooks to primary school
students, monthly stipends to girls enrolled at the middle schools, appointment of better qualified
teachers and improvement in physical infrastructure have led to an overall 13 percent increase in
enrollments in primary schools and 20 percent increase in enrollments of girls at middle level in
fifteen low literacy districts of Punjab. The model has proved successful because of the wider
participation of civil society organizations, district and local level department staff, parents and
teachers. An overarching objective of this program is to reduce gender inequalities in the province. If
successfully replicated in other provinces, it is quite likely that the unsatisfactory performance of the
past several decades could be reversed and the slippages in meeting the Millenium Development
Goals could be contained. Higher education has received a big boost in the allocation of financial
resources and improvement in the quality of education. The enrollment ratio which is only 2.6
percent compared to 10 percent in India is projected to double in the next five years while the
universities are being upgraded through a vigorous program of faculty development, scholarships
and stipends to the poor, curriculum revision, equipping laboratories and libraries, connectivity to
pooled and shared resources and emphasis on research. Annual budget allocation has been raised
ten times from a paltry sum of $15 million to $150 million while that for science and technology
increased from $3 million to $100 million.

National Education Conference 1947:

First National Education Conference was held at Karachi from November 27th to December 1st,
1947. Quaid-i-Azam was its convener. He provided basic guidelines for future educational

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development. He also emphasized people to realize the sense of honour, integrity and selfless
services to the nation. At this occasion, Fazal-ur-Rehman, the Education Minister of the country
proposed three dimensions of education, i.e. spiritual, social and vocational. A number of
committees were also formed at this occasion such as – Primary and Secondary Education
Committee, – Adult Education Committee, – Technical Education Committee, – Scientific Research
Committee, – University Education Committee, – Women’s Education Committee, – Cultural
Relations Committee.

National Education Policy1972 (1st):

On 15 March 1972, the New Education Reforms were announced.

 They envisage universal and free education up to class (X) throughout the country in three
phases.
 Under this scheme all educational institutions are to be nationalized.
 These institutions are now open to gifted students from all over the country without regard to
their financial status and social background.
 So far about 400 colleges and several schools have been nationalized in the provinces of Sind
and the Punjab. The college teachers have also been given a respectable position in society.

National Educational Policy 2009-2015.

This particular policy was introduced by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The preparation of this
educational policy had already begun before the party came into power. Moreover, the policy may
be differentiated on the basis of in-depth discussions and multiple reviews of the policy. The purpose

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of review was to prepare an educational policy that could serve to achieve national goals and
interests.

 The policy’s focus remains “Early Childhood Education-ECE” which was ignored in almost all the
previous educational policies. Under this policy it was proposed that the children from age 3-5
must receive early education before starting formal education from class-1 and enable them for
their primary education.
 Moreover, the non-formal education was deemed necessary for all the adults so that the
literacy rate of the country could be improved. In addition to this, the policy also aims at the
uplift of educational quality and the target of educational policy could be achieved with the help
of six pillars namely teacher, curriculum, textbooks, assessment, learning environment and
taking education as important element in their life.

National Education Policy2017-2025:

National and international developments in education have created conditions for revision of
National Education Policy 2009.

 Global competition demands human capital that is creative, constructive and contributing to
individual and collective wellbeing.
 Locally these new developments include devolution of social sector ministries including;
 Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training under 18th amendment.
 Insertion of article 25(a) in the constitution under which free and compulsory education of all
the children aged 5-16 (up to matric) became a fundamental right and the state responsibility.
 Replacement of Education For All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have been adopted by Pakistan also as its own
Agenda for Development.

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National Education Policy 2023:
The Pakistani Education Policy 2023 is a comprehensive policy document that outlines the direction
of the education system in Pakistan. The policy aims to make education accessible, inclusive, and of
high quality for all citizens. The key changes in the policy include an increased focus on early
childhood education, a revamp of the curriculum to ensure that it is relevant to the current needs of
society, and a focus on digital literacy.

One of the most notable changes in the policy is the emphasis on teacher training and professional
development. The policy aims to improve the quality of teaching by providing regular training
opportunities for teachers and ensuring that they have the necessary resources and support to
perform their jobs effectively. This includes the provision of adequate facilities, instructional
materials, and access to technology.

Another important aspect of the policy is the promotion of inclusive education, which aims to ensure
that all children, regardless of their background or abilities, have equal access to quality education.
This includes the provision of special education services and support for children with disabilities, as
well as the promotion of gender equality in education.

Overall, the Pakistani Education Policy 2023 is a positive step towards improving the education
system in the country. The policy addresses many of the key challenges that the education system
faces, such as a lack of qualified teachers, outdated curricula, and limited access to education for
marginalized groups. If effectively implemented, the policy has the potential to bring about
significant improvements in the quality of education in Pakistan.

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References:
 World Bank
 UNESCO
 CIA – The World Fact Book
 Pakistan - Budget
 Pakistan – Vision 2025
 Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training
 Higher Education Commission of Pakistan
 Open Doors
 USEFP
 World Bank Working Paper Series on Impact Evaluation of Education Reforms

10.Washington, DC: World Bank.

 https://www.slideshare.net/AniqaZai1/curriculum-reforms-in-pakistan-19472020#9
 Education Policy Changed In Pakistan (Latest-2023)

https://acadstuff.blogspot.com/2023/02/Education%20Policy.html.

 PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(1): 4459-4463

www.psychologyandeducation.net
An Overview of Educational Policies of Pakistan 1947 2020