Zeeshan Haider
THE economic, social and political progress of any country depends largely on the quality of its education system. Nations that fail to invest in education inevitably lag behind in every sphere of life. History has repeatedly shown that education is the foundation of national development, making the provision of free, quality education one of the state’s foremost responsibilities.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s education sector continues to face serious challenges. A recent UNESCO report highlights the weaknesses of the country’s education system. According to the report, the literacy rate among people aged ten years and above has increased only marginally, from 61 per cent to 63 per cent. It also reveals that thousands of public schools across the provinces, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, lack basic facilities such as toilets, furniture, electricity, boundary walls, classrooms, textbooks and, in some cases, even teachers.
Despite the government’s declaration of an educational emergency, meaningful progress remains limited. Pakistan has yet to align its education system with modern global standards. While developed countries invest around seven percent of their GDP in education, Pakistan allocates only a small share of its budget to this vital sector. As a result, millions of children remain deprived of their fundamental right to education. Another longstanding challenge is the absence of a consistent and uniform education system. Successive governments have repeatedly altered educational policies instead of building on previous reforms, resulting in a lack of continuity and declining standards. At the same time, the divide between public and private education has widened social inequalities. Children from affluent families enjoy access to quality education, while those from middle- and low-income households often struggle with inadequate facilities and limited opportunities.
Against this backdrop, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched the Nawaz Sharif Eminence Schools under the Punjab Education Foundation. The initiative aims to modernise education in line with the demands of the digital age and represents a significant step towards improving educational standards, particularly in underdeveloped districts and tehsils.
The schools feature spacious campuses, smart classrooms, computer and STEM laboratories, digital learning systems and a modern governance framework. These facilities can help bridge the gap between public and private education while bringing government schools closer to international standards. One of the project’s most notable features is that children from different socioeconomic backgrounds study together, promoting equal educational opportunities.
The initiative has also benefited from the leadership of Punjab Education Foundation Chairman Shoaib Awan. Under his supervision, hundreds of underperforming schools have been brought under Public-Private Partnership arrangements, providing improved educational opportunities to more than four million students.
The Punjab Education Foundation’s model offers valuable lessons for other provinces. Expanding similar reforms nationwide could help improve access to quality education for all children, regardless of their background.
Pakistan can no longer afford inconsistent educational policies or inadequate investment in human capital. Increased funding, policy continuity, improved teacher training and a modern, uniform education system are essential for sustainable national development. The country’s future prosperity depends on ensuring that every child has equal access to quality education.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
