roviding primary education is a major responsibility of the state. Article 25-A of the constitution provides for free and compulsory school education. Young people are a valuable asset for any nation as they have a significant role in societal development. This, however, requires educating them and equipping them with contemporary life skills. Public schools have a fundamental role in the realisation of this dream, as they are not established as a business but primarily to provide education to the youth.

There was a time when almost all schools in Pakistan were government-run. Most of those were housed in expansive buildings and had large playgrounds. Co-curricular activities such as debates and writing competitions were regularly organised. An effective inspection system was in place and the fees were nominal. A unique feature of these schools was that children from both affluent and impoverished backgrounds studied together. There were only a handful of private institutions.

Two significant issues arose during the first Pakistan Peoples Party government when the schools were nationalised. First, some of the renowned private institutions lost their glorious traditions and some low-quality private educational institutions received legal protection.

Gen Zia-ul Haq, who initially opposed private, English-medium schools, later came round to the idea and encouraged a rapid growth of private English-medium schools.

It was argued that considering the country’s large and increasing population, private educational institutions needed to contribute to coping with the challenge of illiteracy. However, the state gradually withdrew support for the public schools so that those no longer promise quality education. Various NGOs have since been requested to adopt public schools to help maintain standards.

In 2011, thousands of government schools were closed down across Pakistan. According to the latest official statistics, (Pakistan Institute of Education report of October, 2024) around 26 million children are currently out of school. About 48 percent drop out by the time they reach eighth grade. The resources allocated for education during 2022-23 were only 1.5 percent of the GDP.

The closure of public schools followed the conclusion that many public schools were not functional. The so-called ‘ghost schools’ had very few students. The existence of private schools nearby also played a role in reducing the number of government schools. Many government schools have seen a decline in student numbers and fallen victim to administrative restructuring. Once recognised for their educational standards, many government schools have become deserted.

In 2011, thousands of government schools were closed down in various provinces. According to the latest official statistics, around 26 million children are out of school currently. About 48 percent of the children drop out by the time they reach eighth grade.

Meanwhile, private schools continue to attract more students. According to PIE, 46 percent of all students were studying in private institutions in 2022-23 and the private sector was projected to surpass public sector schools in a few years.

It is crucial for policymakers and researchers to understand the underlying reasons for the decline of government schools. One significant factor is the influence of neoliberal philosophy in education policy, which is characterised by free competition, non-intervention by the state, maximisation of profit and exploitation of labour. Private schools appear to thrive in an environment free from state intervention. The same is unimaginable for government schools.

As a result of increasing globalisation, many multinational businesses have established franchises in Pakistan. This has made English language proficiency an important life skill. Consequently, private English-medium schools have gained great popularity. These have reached all corners of urban Pakistan and are now extending into rural areas as well.

The situation at public schools has worsened due to a shortage of teachers, absenteeism, lack of accountability and poor governance in general. Most private educational institutions have shown not only business acumen but also effective management. They have also capitalised on the demand for English language. Many parents perceive an advantage in putting their children in English-medium schools. In addition to better English language skills, these schools provide opportunities for claiming social prestige and a higher status.

The role of the state is crucial in this regard. Instead of strengthening government schools, the government appears to have surrendered. It is now encouraging NGOs to adopt and manage these schools. This has dealt a big blow to government schools. Extremely limited funding, negligence and outdated administrative practices are causing a continuous decline in government schools.

The private sector alone cannot meet Pakistan’s educational needs. A balance must be established between private and government schools.

An efficient public education system is necessary to ensure that all children, particularly those from economically disadvantaged families, have access to free, quality education. Governments should take urgent measures to improve the quality of education in public schools and ensure that quality education is accessible to every child.

The writer is an educationist. He can be reached at: shahidksiddiqui @gmail.com