English Essay for PMS MINISTERIAL- The Public School System in Pakistan: Challenges, Realities, and the Way Forward

The Public School System in Pakistan: Challenges, Realities, and the Way Forward

Introduction

Education is the backbone of any progressive society, and the public school system plays a foundational role in providing equitable access to learning. In Pakistan, the public education sector is entrusted with the crucial responsibility of educating the majority of the country’s children, especially in rural and low-income urban areas. However, despite constitutional promises and numerous policy declarations, Pakistan’s public school system continues to struggle under the weight of chronic underfunding, poor governance, low learning outcomes, and wide regional disparities.

This essay explores the structure, challenges, and significance of the public school system in Pakistan, and suggests a roadmap for transforming it into an engine of national development.

Overview of the Public School System in Pakistan

The public education system in Pakistan is divided into five tiers:

1. Primary Education (Grades 1–5)
2. Middle Education (Grades 6–8)
3. Secondary Education (Grades 9–10)
4. Higher Secondary Education (Grades 11–12)
5. Tertiary Education (University and Colleges)

Education is a provincial subject post-18th Amendment, and each province manages its own public education system through departments of school education. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023-24:

• Pakistan has over 200,000 public sector schools.
• Nearly 60% of school-going children are enrolled in these institutions.
• Yet, the country still has over 22 million out-of-school children, one of the highest in the world.

Constitutional and Policy Framework

Pakistan’s Constitution under Article 25-A mandates free and compulsory education for all children aged 5 to 16. Numerous national policies — such as the National Education Policy 2009, Single National Curriculum (SNC), and Education Sector Plans (ESPs) — have aimed at reforming the public education landscape. However, policy implementation remains inconsistent due to financial, administrative, and political challenges.

Major Challenges in the Public School System

1. Inadequate Infrastructure

Many public schools, especially in rural and remote areas, lack basic facilities such as:

• Boundary walls
• Clean drinking water
• Toilets
• Electricity
• Functional classrooms and furniture

A significant number of schools are single-room or single-teacher institutions, hampering quality learning.

2. Teacher Absenteeism and Shortage

The quality of education is directly tied to the quality and presence of teachers. However:

• Many teachers are absent or irregular, especially in rural areas.
• Some schools operate without any appointed teachers.
• Training and professional development opportunities are limited.

3. Low Learning Outcomes

Despite years of schooling, a significant number of students in public schools:

• Cannot read or write basic sentences in Urdu or English.
• Struggle with basic arithmetic.
• Perform poorly in national and international assessments (e.g., ASER reports).

4. Inequity and Disparity

There is a wide rural-urban divide in access to quality education:

• Rural schools are under-resourced and poorly monitored.
• Girls’ education is neglected in many tribal and rural districts.
• Marginalized communities suffer from discrimination and neglect.

5. Language Barrier and Curriculum Confusion

The introduction of the Single National Curriculum (SNC) has generated debate. Challenges include:

• Medium of instruction confusion (English vs Urdu).
• Outdated, rote-based curriculum with little focus on critical thinking.
• Lack of culturally inclusive content for diverse regions like Balochistan or Gilgit-Baltistan.

6. Low Public Spending on Education

Pakistan spends only about 1.7% of its GDP on education, far below the global recommendation of 4–6%. This underfunding leads to:

• Poor teacher salaries
• Limited classroom resources
• Inability to build or upgrade school infrastructure

Impacts of a Weak Public School System

A failing public education system has ripple effects on the country’s overall development:

• Youth unemployment rises as students lack employable skills.
• It fuels social inequality, as only the rich can afford private schooling.
• Terrorism and extremism find fertile ground in uneducated populations.
• It weakens the foundation for a knowledge-based economy.
• Girls’ poor education directly contributes to high fertility rates and maternal mortality.

Comparative Analysis: Public vs. Private Schools

Private schools in Pakistan, though catering to a smaller percentage of the population, are perceived as offering:

• Better teaching quality
• Improved learning environments
• More accountability

However, the proliferation of unregulated private schools also creates a two-tiered education system, further widening the gap between rich and poor.

Reform Efforts and Initiatives

Several government and donor-led initiatives have aimed to reform public schools:

• Punjab Education Sector Reform Program (PESRP)
• Sindh Education Foundation (SEF)
• Benazir Taleemi Wazaif – conditional cash transfers for school attendance
• UNICEF, DFID, and World Bank support for infrastructure and teacher training

While these programs have had some localized success, system-wide change remains elusive.

Role of Technology and Innovation

Modernizing public education requires the integration of:

• Digital learning platforms (e.g., Taleemabad, Edkasa)
• Smart classrooms
• Distance learning in rural and remote areas
• EdTech for teacher training and monitoring

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the digital divide, emphasizing the need to bridge the technology gap in public schools.

The Way Forward: Reforms for a Stronger Public Education System

To revive public schooling in Pakistan, a holistic and sustained approach is required:

1. Increase Education Budget

Raise education expenditure to at least 4% of GDP and prioritize:

• School construction and rehabilitation
• Learning materials and technology
• Teacher salaries and training

2. Ensure Teacher Quality and Accountability

• Regularize training through continuous professional development (CPD).
• Introduce performance-based incentives.
• Use technology to track attendance and improve accountability.

3. Focus on Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Invest in pre-primary education to build a strong foundation for learning.

4. Promote Gender Equality

• Construct more girls’ schools and recruit female teachers.
• Provide safe transportation and menstrual hygiene facilities.

5. Community and Parental Engagement

Involve local communities in school monitoring and management through School Management Committees (SMCs).

6. Adopt Flexible Curriculum and Assessment Models

• Move away from rote learning to conceptual understanding.
• Encourage project-based learning and critical thinking.
• Customize curricula for regional and linguistic diversity.

7. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

Encourage responsible private actors to collaborate with the government in managing and upgrading public schools.

Conclusion

The public school system in Pakistan stands at a crossroads. It can either remain a symbol of missed opportunities or be transformed into a launchpad for national progress and equity. A well-functioning, inclusive, and high-quality public education system is not a luxury — it is a necessity for peace, prosperity, and global competitiveness.The time to act is now. Pakistan must view education as an investment, not an expenditure. If properly reformed and supported, public schools can uplift millions from poverty, reduce inequality, and prepare the youth for the challenges of the 21st century.