How is the Education System in Pakistan?

Pakistan’s education system is in a state of flux. The country’s constitution guarantees free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of five and 16, but in practice, only about 60 percent of Pakistani children are enrolled in school. A large majority of those who do attend are boys; according to UNESCO, just over half of Pakistani girls go to school.

The quality of education varies widely across Pakistan. In the more affluent urban areas, schools offer a good standard of education, with well-trained teachers and up-to-date facilities. However, in rural areas and poorer urban neighborhoods, schools are often overcrowded and understaffed, with poorly trained teachers and outdated or nonexistent facilities.

Pakistan’s literacy rate stands at about 60 percent overall, but there is a significant gender gap: while nearly 75 percent of Pakistani men can read and write, only about 50 percent of women are literate. This disparity is even more pronounced in rural areas, where just 38 percent of women are literate compared to 66 percent of men. The current government has made improving Pakistan’s education system a priority, pledging to increase enrollment rates and improve the quality of teaching across the country.

Only time will tell if these promises will be kept – but for now, Pakistan’s educational landscape remains uneven.