The literacy rate in Pakistan is the number of individuals – aged 15 and above – that are able to read and write as a fraction of all its citizens in the cohort. In 2019, Pakistan had a literacy rate of 68 percent. This showed considerable improvement over 2017 when only 59 percent of the population was found literate. However, these numbers are not a true indication of the situation on the ground with regard to education as people who can read or write as little as just their names are counted as literate.

The situation is also said to have improved in terms of resource allocation since 2017. Unfortunately the devastating Covid-19 pandemic has blunted its impact. There was an attempt to take an already inadequate education system to online. Since a majority of the students lacked access to laptops and/ or reliable bandwidth connections, many had to rely on Whatsapp groups and mobile phone networks for two years’ of education. Others had no access to schools and teachers for months at end.

The education system is riddled with numerous gaps in terms of delivery and access. This is obvious in the considerably lower literacy and access to high quality education rates for girls and women. Cultural practices like early marriage, gender discrimination and traditional gender roles aggravate the problem.

The constitution promises all children access to free and compulsory education. However, our alarmingly high out of school children numbers have shown no signs of a quick decline. In addition, most public schools are poorly regulated and suffer from a severe lack of resources and infrastructure.

The government’s flagship single national curriculum (SNC) is to be implemented in three phases by 2023. It promises a uniform primary education through a new curriculum. While this might ensure that the public school curricula remain relevant, its effectiveness in bridging the gap between private schools at one end and the madrassahs on the other remains suspect. Concerns have already been raised that the new textbooks lack the proper orientation. Doubts also persist regarding the government’s ability to ensure full delivery and maintenance of the new system.