Introduction: A Nation Failing Its Future
In Pakistan, the education crisis is
not just a social issue—it is a national emergency. Despite lofty claims and
budget announcements, the ground reality tells a different story. Millions of
children remain out of school, learning levels are dangerously low, and public
schooling infrastructure is in disrepair. The federal budgets of 2024–25 and
2025–26 once again exposed the disconnect between political rhetoric and actual
commitment. What we are witnessing is not a lack of money alone—but a lack of
vision, urgency, and compassion. The title “No Education” reflects the lived experience
of millions of Pakistanis today.
The
2024–25 Budget: Misplaced Priorities
The 2024–25 federal budget allocated
around Rs 93 billion for the education sector, with Rs 66.3 billion going to
the Higher Education Commission (HEC). On the surface, this appeared as
progress. The Ministry of Federal Education also saw a notable increase in
funds. However, most of these allocations were directed toward higher education
and administrative expenses, not basic education. Primary and secondary
education, where the largest learning gap exists, was once again underfunded.
Despite minor increases in numerical terms, education’s share in the GDP
remained disappointingly low at around 1.5%. This is far below the global
standard of 4% that developing nations are encouraged to maintain.
2025–26
Budget: More Cuts, More Crisis
The budget for 2025–26 continued
this trend of underinvestment. Only Rs 18.5 billion was earmarked for the
Federal Ministry of Education—barely enough to sustain existing programs. Even
more worrying was the proposed cut in HEC's development budget, amounting to a
potential reduction of Rs 11 billion. With inflation rising and the cost of
maintaining schools increasing, such cuts are counterproductive and dangerous.
Most of the funding again favored elite institutions and urban centers, leaving
rural and marginalized communities without meaningful support. This budget,
rather than correcting past mistakes, deepened the systemic neglect.
Ground
Reality: A System on the Brink
The numbers fail to capture the
human cost of these budget decisions. Over 25 million children in Pakistan are
out of school, making it one of the worst education crises globally. Those who
are enrolled often attend schools with no furniture, no toilets, no clean
drinking water, and in many cases, no teachers. The promise of education is
hollow for a child who spends years in school but cannot read or write at grade
level. Learning poverty is rampant—many students complete primary school
without acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Digital
Promises vs. Real-Life Gaps
Governments often talk about digital
learning, smart classrooms, and online access. But in a country where large
swathes of the population lack internet connectivity or even electricity, such
promises are tone-deaf. The digital divide has left rural and low-income
children further behind. The budget does little to address these inequalities.
Instead of bridging the gap, the focus remains on projects that benefit a
limited urban elite while ignoring those on the margins.
Provincial
Challenges After the 18th Amendment
After the 18th Constitutional
Amendment, the responsibility for education was devolved to the provinces.
However, this has led to fragmentation, weak accountability, and inconsistent
standards. Provinces like Punjab and Sindh do allocate significant budgets, but
mismanagement, political interference, and corruption often mean that allocated
funds are not effectively used. The federal government, while still holding
sway over higher education, has failed to coordinate with provinces to create a
unified vision for education in the country.
The
Governance Gap: Where Funds Go to Waste
One of the most serious issues
plaguing the education sector is the ineffective use of available funds. In
many cases, money allocated for development remains unspent. Projects stall due
to bureaucratic delays, and education officers are either ill-trained or
politically appointed. Teachers often remain absent, and accountability
mechanisms are weak. Budget allocations, however well-intentioned, have little
impact if implementation is flawed. Without serious administrative reforms,
even increased funding will not solve the deeper structural problems in the
sector.
Economic
Consequences of “No Education”
The long-term cost of ignoring
education is devastating. An uneducated population limits the country’s growth,
stifles innovation, and increases dependency on foreign aid. It also exacerbates
inequality, fuels crime, and creates a fertile ground for extremism. Countries
that have prioritized education—like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Rwanda—have seen
dramatic improvements in social indicators and economic performance. Pakistan,
in contrast, continues to struggle, not due to a lack of potential, but due to
a lack of national will.
The
Way Forward: Reform or Regret
To reverse this downward spiral,
education must become a true national priority. Pakistan needs to raise its
education spending to at least 4% of GDP. Budgets should focus on primary and
secondary education, especially in rural and underserved areas. Teacher
training, school infrastructure, digital access, and curriculum reforms must be
fast-tracked. Federal and provincial coordination needs to be strengthened, and
accountability must be ensured through transparent audits and citizen
oversight. Education cannot be fixed overnight—but without starting today, the
cost of inaction will be too high to bear.
Conclusion:
No Education, No Future
The phrase “No Education” is more
than just a slogan—it is a harsh reality for millions of children in Pakistan.
It reflects years of neglect, misplaced priorities, and failed promises. Budget
documents may present hopeful figures, but unless those numbers translate into
functioning schools, trained teachers, and real learning, they are meaningless.
A country cannot progress when half its children are out of school and the rest
receive substandard education. Pakistan stands at a crossroads: continue on the
path of underinvestment and watch its future slip away, or choose to invest in
education—not as a political afterthought, but as a foundation for national
survival. The choice must be made now.
