The recently released Economic Survey of Pakistan indicates no change has occurred in the country’s literacy rate since 2013. The recent data indicate that only 58 per cent of the population is literate. Last year’s Economic Survey had informed us that the literacy rate had increased to 60%. Does it mean that the literacy rate has actually fallen by 2 per cent? To avoid this unflattering comparison, the 2016-17 Economic Survey avoids last year’s data. In fact, by government’s own estimates, the decline in literacy rate has been witnessed in Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab while it remained stagnant in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). What is even more intriguing is that the literacy rate in Balochistan and Sindh fell by 4 and 5 per cent respectively in one year. In the Punjab the decrease has been 1 per cent.
This confusion over numbers may be a methodological issue, which once again reflects poorly on the government. Our successive regimes have shown little regard for accurate and reliable data for planning purposes. In fact Pakistan must be the only country of its size and influence that undertakes major policy choices without even the basic count of its population. The ongoing census is a welcome development but the idea that a state made policies in the dark for nearly a decade is most worrying.
The stagnant national literacy levels are the not the only problem. The urban-rural and gender divides are even more alarming. Urban literacy rate is 74 per cent, in stark contrast to the 49 per cent in rural areas. There are disparities within provinces too. The most startling differences are in Balochistan with 24 per cent female and 56 per cent male literacy rates. In rural areas, the only 15 per cent of female population is literate. This is not too different from Sindh where only 19 per cent of females in rural areas can be counted as literate. Due to higher rates in urban Sindh, the overall provincial literacy rate for females is 44 per cent and 67 per cent for males. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the literacy rates for females and males are 36 per cent 72 per cent respectively. But in rural areas, only 33 percent females are literate.
The truth is that education for Pakistan’s ruling elite – the civilian and military establishment – is a low priority and remains so. This happens despite regular lip service, grand speeches, party manifestoes and commitment to international donors. This is best reflected by the public sector expenditure on education as percentage of the gross domestic product. It has been increasing by 0.1% in recent years. During the preceding year, it was 2.3 per cent compared to 2.2 per cent in in 2015. While expenditure is one measure of government’s commitment, it is an important one. In South Asia, Pakistan spends the lowest on education. Yet, in our case even if the allocations were improved without a systematic reform of education system, the resources may not turn into results.
Nineteen years ago this month, Pakistan proudly declared its nuclear prowess. What good is nuclear capability if millions of citizens, especially women remain illiterate and there are 24 million children out of school? *