Position Paper

Committee: Pakistan National Assembly

Topic: Education System in Pakistan
Personality: Farooq Sattar
Delegate: Hassan Ali, APS&C, Bahawalpur

Education system in Pakistan is generally divided into six levels: Preschool (for the age
from 3 to 5 years); primary (grades one through five); middle (grades six through
eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate or
SSC); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary (School)
Certificate or HSC); and university programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The literacy rate ranges from 96% in Islamabad to 28% in the Kohlu District. Literacy rates vary
regionally, particularly by sex. English is fast spreading in Pakistan, with more than 92 million
Pakistanis speaking English.
Education in Pakistan is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education and the provincial
governments, whereas the federal government mostly assists in curriculum development,
accreditation and in the financing of research and development. Article 25-A of Constitution of
Pakistan obligates the state to provide free and compulsory quality education to children of the
age group 3 to 16 years to remove illiteracy. Government of Pakistan committed to eradicate
illiteracy with in Pakistan and provide free and compulsory education as prescribed in the
constitution outlined article 25-A. In early 2013, Sindh and Balochistan enacted legislation
borrowed largely from the National Assembly’s Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act
(2012) for the federal capital. Public expenditure on education is 2% of GDP of Pakistan. The
government has encouraged private sector to invest in education and also reformed the standard
examination system.
Government has to take solid steps to remove the flaws in our educational system. First
of all government should focus on the educational funds. There should be same syllabus in all
provinces of Pakistan so that students not have to face discrimination at university level. The
standard of primary and secondary education should be raised. Government schools should be at
the same level as there are private schools. Technical education must be given to all classes and
workshops must be arranged for teachers. Steps be taken to alleviate poverty and enable parents
give reasonable education to their children. Strict laws be devised banning all form of child
labor. Government should come forward and bring unity in education system of Pakistan. There
should be same education for every Pakistani child whether rich or poor. Funds should be given
to the deserving and poor children. If our education system will improve then our country can be
prosperous and economically strong.