Sir: The system of education includes all institutions that are involved in delivering formal education (public and private, for profit and no-profit, onsite or virtual instruction) and their faculties, students, physical infrastructure, resources and rules. In a broader definition, the system also includes the institutions that are directly involved in financing, managing, operating or regulating such institutions (like government ministries and regulatory bodies, central testing organisations, textbook boards and accreditation boards). The rules and regulations that guide the individual and institutional interactions within the set up are also part of the education system. The education system of Pakistan comprises of 260,903 institutions and is facilitating 41,018,384 students with the help of 1,535,461 teachers. The system includes 180,846 public institutions and 80,057 private institutions. The government has expressed its commitment to promote education and literacy in the country. There is a need for the implementation of national education policy and vision 2030 education goals. An analysis of education policy suggests that at the policy level, there are several admirable ideas, but practically there are some shortcomings also. It may not be possible for the government at the moment to implement a uniform education system in the country, but a uniform curriculum can be introduced in educational institutes. This will provide equal opportunity to the students of rural areas to compete with students of urban areas in the job market. Since a majority of the Pakistani population resides in rural areas and access to education is a major problem for them, it seems feasible that a balanced approach for formal and informal education be adopted. The government as well as non-government sectors should work together to promote education in the rural areas. The government should take measures to get school buildings vacated that are occupied by feudal lords in Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab. Efforts should be made to ensure that proper education is provided in those schools. The federal government is paying attention to vocational and technical training, but it is important to make the already existing vocational and technical training centres more efficient so that skilled youth could be produced. Since education is a provincial subject, the provincial education secretariats need to be strengthened. Special policy planning units should be established in the provinces’ education departments for the implementation of educational policies and formulation of new policies whenever needed. An effective monitoring system is needed in the education departments. For any system to work, it is imperative that relevant structures are developed. Legislation and structure should be framed to plan for the promotion of education in the country. RAFIA SIDDIQUI Via Email