Challenges and Issues Faced by Children's Education in Pakistan

Education is a fundamental pillar for any nation's progress, but in Pakistan, the education sector faces significant challenges. These challenges have only been exacerbated by the global pandemic, leaving children and educators struggling to overcome the learning crisis, the push for improving early childhood education, the shortage of high-quality teachers, and the need for more evidence-based and equitable policies.

The Learning Crisis Worsened by COVID-19

Before the pandemic, the learning crisis in Pakistan was already severe. A staggering 57.6% of children in low- and middle-income countries could not read and understand basic texts by age 10. This figure is even more concerning in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the rate reached 86%. The impact of the pandemic compounded this issue, leaving students across Pakistan significantly behind in key subjects like mathematics and reading.

According to several analyses, the learning poverty rate may have reached 70% post-pandemic. This has severe long-term consequences, potentially leading to a loss of around 21 trillion dollars in future salaries, especially for vulnerable students. However, the pandemic also brought attention to the importance of digital education and technology, which can help mitigate some of these issues if implemented effectively.

Improved Attention Needed for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is a vital but often overlooked component of the education system. In Pakistan, only a fraction of countries have a proper legal framework for free and compulsory pre-primary education. UNESCO reports that, prior to the pandemic, only a minority of countries, predominantly high-income, were making timely progress towards SDG 4 benchmarks on early childhood indicators.

ECCE goes beyond just preparing children for primary school; it is foundational for emotional wellbeing and lifelong learning. Investing in ECCE is one of the best investments a country can make, but with only a third of countries having the necessary frameworks in place, there is a significant gap in providing this crucial education.

The Shortage of High-Quality Teachers

The quality of teaching has been a critical issue in Pakistan, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of trained teachers saw a decline from 84% in 2000 to 69% in 2019. Moreover, many teachers in Pakistan are formally trained but lack the minimum pedagogical training necessary to effectively teach. This shortage is particularly acute in STEM subjects, where the demand for trained teachers is far from being met, thereby affecting the quality of education.

Encouragingly, there have been efforts to address this issue. For instance, the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative in Pakistan has been successful in providing children with access to educational technology. However, these efforts need to be scaled up and integrated with teacher training programs to ensure long-term impact.

Implementing Evidence-Based and Pro-Equity Policies

Despite the wealth of knowledge available on what works in education, many decision-makers in Pakistan continue to focus on non-evidence-based policies. This is partly due to the short tenures of top officials, with many serving for less than one year before moving on. Another major challenge is the lack of attention to empirical evidence in the development of education policies.

To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize evidence-based and pro-equity policies. This includes setting up robust systems for evaluating the effectiveness of policies and programs, ensuring that there is a longer tenure for educational ministers, and incorporating diverse perspectives in policy-making to ensure that all voices are heard.

Concluding Thoughts

While the challenges facing children's education in Pakistan are significant, they are not insurmountable. By focusing on addressing the learning crisis, improving ECCE, ensuring high-quality teacher training, and implementing evidence-based policies, there is hope for a brighter future for Pakistan. It is crucial to collaborate with international partners, leverage technology, and prioritize the needs of vulnerable students to make meaningful progress in the education sector.