FINANCIAL burden of education has long fallen on the shoulders of families in our country.
But the latest findings from the Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS) put this issue in sharper focus: households now spend a staggering Rs2.8 trillion on education, compared to the government’s Rs2.23 trillion. This disparity raises crucial questions about the role of the state in providing education and its responsibility toward the millions of children whose future hinges on access to quality schooling.
Households now bear 56% of the total cost of education, which includes Rs1.31 trillion on private school fees, Rs613 billion on private tuition and Rs878 billion on other out-of-pocket costs. Education, a public good, has become increasingly out of reach for many. This growing reliance on private spending for education highlights the failure of the state to provide the fundamental right of free, quality education for all.The consequences of this failure are profound. Families that can afford private schooling provide their children with better educational opportunities, while those who cannot are left with substandard options. This inequity perpetuates cycles of poverty, as children in lower-income households are often relegated to poorly funded schools, undermining their future prospects. Meanwhile, a growing number of children are left out of school altogether, contributing to the country’s rising rates of illiteracy and educational inequality. When the government fails to fulfill its role in education, it not only exacerbates social inequality but also breeds dissatisfaction with the system. Citizens who are already burdened with the cost of their children’s education often question why they should continue paying taxes when the government is not meeting its basic responsibilities. This growing disillusionment with public services erodes trust, making it harder to generate the support needed for broader policy reforms. The solution is clear: the state must prioritize education in its budget and ensure that quality education is accessible to every child, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This requires both increased investment and effective use of resources in public schools. Education should not be a privilege for those who can afford it, it is a fundamental right that must be guaranteed for all. If we have to achieve sustainable development, it must begin by ensuring that every child has access to quality education, free from financial barriers.
