Daily Times

Pakistan’s education system has been struggling under the weight of challenges for far too long. The result? Millions of children are left behind, unable to access quality education, their dreams overshadowed by barriers that shouldn’t exist in this day and age.

You’ve got nearly 23 million kids out of school. That’s not a number you shrug off. It’s a crisis. Walk through the streets of any rural village, and you’ll see it first-hand. Children who should be in classrooms are working in fields or hanging around idle because the nearest school is miles away or in shambles. And don’t think urban areas are exempt – while the numbers look better, they’re still not good enough. The divide between urban and rural education in Pakistan is as clear as night and day.

Then there’s the quality issue. Imagine this: a classroom with a teacher who hasn’t been trained properly, and who struggles to teach basic concepts. That’s the reality for more than half of primary schools in the country.

Is it any wonder that so many students can’t read a simple sentence by the time they are 10? Rankings don’t lie. Pakistan’s education system sits embarrassingly low on global lists. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but acknowledging it is the first step toward doing something about it.

And we need to talk about inequality. Literacy rates in urban areas might make you think progress is happening, but take a trip to the countryside, and the numbers tell a different story. Rural literacy rates are abysmal.

Pakistan’s education system needs a complete overhaul. This isn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting international goals.

Add gender into the mix, and it’s even worse. Girls in rural areas face hurdles at every turn – cultural norms, safety concerns, and early marriages. It’s no wonder they’re dropping out faster than you can say “equality”.

The curriculum is another sore spot. It’s outdated, and disconnected from the skills today’s job market demands.

Young people graduate only to find themselves unprepared for the world outside school walls.

The unemployment rate among youth is climbing, and it’s not hard to see why. Where are the programmes teaching kids vocational skills or the STEM subjects that are driving the future? They’re out there, in other countries, making a difference. Pakistan needs to catch up, and fast.

Here’s the thing – this isn’t a hopeless situation. There are solutions. Start with the curriculum. Modernise it. Make it relevant. Look at what countries like South Korea and Finland have done.

They have aligned their education systems with the needs of their economies, and it’s paid off. Pakistan can do the same. Bring in STEM, vocational training, and subjects that make kids think critically instead of just memorising facts.

And what about teachers? Let’s get serious about training them. Teaching isn’t just another job; it’s the backbone of the education system. Singapore gets it. They have poured resources into professional development for teachers, and it shows. Pakistan could learn a thing or two here. Give teachers the tools they need to succeed – not just once but throughout their careers. Make it mandatory, make it effective.

Infrastructure is another big piece of the puzzle. You’ve got schools without electricity, without toilets, without basic facilities. It’s no wonder kids don’t want to go, and teachers don’t want to stay. This isn’t rocket science. Fix the infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Allocate funds where they’re needed most. Build schools that are more than just buildings – make them places where learning can happen.

Governance can’t be ignored. Policies might look great on paper, but if there’s no accountability, they’re as good as useless. Create a central body to oversee education. Make it transparent. Let people see where the money is going, what’s working, and what’s not. And for goodness’ sake, get the federal and provincial systems to work together. Right now, it’s a patchwork mess, and the students are the ones paying the price.

Technology could be a game-changer here. Pakistan has made some progress with initiatives like TeleSchool, but it’s not enough. Think bigger. Use digital platforms to reach kids in remote areas. Improve internet access, especially in places where traditional schools aren’t an option. Kenya and India have done it, and it’s working for them. Why not Pakistan?

The bottom line? Pakistan’s education system needs a complete overhaul. This isn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting international goals. It’s about giving kids a real chance at a better future. Education is the foundation of progress.

Fix it, and you’re not just helping students; you’re setting the stage for economic growth, reduced unemployment, and a society that thrives instead of just survives. But it’s going to take commitment – from the government, from communities, from everyone. This is the time to act. Pakistan’s youth deserve better, and it’s up to us to make it happen.

The writer, a chartered accountant and certified business analyst, is serving as a CEO for Model Bazaars.