Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training stated that, despite a significant budget increase for the education sector this year, much more funding and commitment are needed to properly align the sector.
The ministry reported that, in response to the ongoing education emergency, the federal government and provincial administrations have allocated 1.91% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to education for the current year. However, to meet the international commitment of 4% of GDP for education, an additional Rs4,242 billion is needed.
This year, the federal government allocated Rs215 billion for education, with Punjab contributing Rs673 billion, Sindh Rs508 billion, KP Rs393 billion, Balochistan Rs162 billion, AJK Rs48 billion, and Gilgit-Baltistan Rs33 billion. Notably, 46% of the federal allocation is designated for development projects, while 54% is earmarked for current expenditures.
The education ministry’s statement emphasized that the approved budgets, presented in both federal and provincial assemblies, reflect an increase in the education sector’s funding. The percentage of GDP allocated to education rose from 1.5% in 2023-24 to 1.91% this year, with provincial and regional governments also increasing their education budgets by 15% to 20%.
Despite these increases, the education sector continues to face significant challenges, including over 26 million out-of-school children, quality issues in public schools, and poor infrastructure. A recent report by the Pakistan Institute of Education, affiliated with the education ministry, highlighted severe disparities in essential facilities like toilets, clean water, and boundary walls across the country.
The Pakistan Education Statistics 2021-22 report revealed a pressing need for strategic planning and sustained investment in education. The report, which analyzed data from 313,418 institutions serving 54,870,964 students with 2,139,631 educators, underscored the need for substantial improvements.
Punjab, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa generally showed better education facilities compared to other regions. However, Balochistan faced significant challenges, with only 23% of primary schools having access to potable water. Azad Jammu Kashmir had 31% of primary schools with drinking water, Sindh 61%, and Gilgit-Baltistan 63%. Middle schools showed similar deficiencies, with only 40% of Balochistan’s and 52% of AJK’s middle schools having access to potable water.The event not only celebrated the students’ success but also underscored the strengthening educational collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey, fostering mutual understanding and goodwill.
Electricity availability also varied significantly, with Punjab and ICT providing electricity to all primary schools, while Balochistan, AJK, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan had lower coverage, ranging from 15% to 44%.
The report also noted that 24% of primary schools nationwide lack toilet facilities, with middle and high schools also facing shortages. Addressing these issues is crucial for creating a more resilient and inclusive education system.
