Education is key
Since independence, numerous educational policies have been implemented to improve the education system of the country and achieve universal education.
However, despite these reforms, the state fails to provide free and quality education to all children. Official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows that the population that ever-attended school decreased from 62 percent in 2014-15 to 60 percent in 2019-20. Regional analysis also shows a decline in attendance rates in urban and rural areas in 2019-20. The ever-attended school ratio declined from 77 percent in 2014-15 to 73 percent in 2019-20 in urban areas and from 53 percent to 52 percent in rural areas during the same time. Likewise, the completion/survival rate (grade 1 to 5) is very low (only 67 percent). The literacy rate (10 years and older) has stagnated at 60 percent over the past decade.
Download full PDF
