Education in Pakistan
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Education in Pakistan
Federal Ministry of EducationProvincial Education Ministries
Secretary of State (Education):
Imtiaz Kazi [1]
National education budget (2007)
Budget:
Rs.9556.442 million (2.2% of the GDP) [2]
General Details
Primary Languages:
Urdu and English.
System Type:
Mainly public
Literacy (2008)
Total:
56.2[1]
Male:
68.2[1]
Female:
43.6[1]
Enrollment
Total:
37,462,900[2]
Primary:
22,650,000[2]
Secondary:
2,884,400[2]
Post Secondary:
1,349,000[2]
v • d • e
Education in Pakistan is overseen by Ministry of Education of Government of Pakistan. The academic institutions are the responsibility of the provincial governments whereas the federal government mostly assists in curriculum development, accreditation and some financing of research.
The education in Pakistan is generally divided into five levels: primary (grades one through five); middle (grades six through eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate or SSC); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary (School) Certificate or HSC); and university programs leading to graduate and advanced degrees.[3]
The literacy rate ranges from 72.38% in Islamabad to 10.37% in the Musakhel District.[4] Between 2000—2004, Pakistanis in the age group 55–64 had a literacy rate of almost 30%, those aged between 45–54 had a literacy rate of nearly 40%, those between 25–34 had a literacy rate of 50%, and those aged 15–24 had a literacy rate of more than 60%.[5] These data indicate that, with every passing generation, the literacy rate in Pakistan has risen by around 10%. Literacy rates vary regionally, particularly by sex. In tribal areas female literacy was 3%.[6]
Contents[hide]
1 Stages of formal education
1.1 Primary education
1.2 Secondary education
1.3 Tertiary education
2 Gender disparity
3 Spending on education
4 University rankings
5 Statistics
5.1 Literacy rate
5.2 School attendance
6 See also
7 References
8 Further reading
9 External links
//
[edit] Stages of formal education
[edit] Primary education
Only 63% of Pakistani children finish primary school education.[7] Furthermore, 68% of Pakistani boys and 72% of Pakistani girls reach grade 5.[8] The standard national system of education is mainly inspired from the British system. Pre-school education is designed for 3-5 years old and usually comprises of three stages: Play Group, Nursery and Kindergarten (also called 'KG' or 'Prep'). After pre-school education, students go through junior school from grades 1 to 4. This is proceeded by middle school from grades 5 to 8. At middle school, single-sex education is usually preferred by the community but co-education is also common in urban cities. The curriculum is usually subject to the institution. The eight commonly examined disciplines are Urdu, English, mathematics, arts, science, social studies, Islamiyat and sometimes computer studies which is subject to availability of a computer laboratory. Some institutes also give instruction in foreign languages such as Arabic, French and Chinese. The language of instruction depends on the nature of institution itself, whether it is an English-medium school or an Urdu-medium school.
[edit] Secondary education
Secondary education in Pakistan begins from grade 9 and lasts for four years. After end of each of the four school years, students are required to pass a national examination administered by a regional Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (or BISE).
Upon completion of grade 9, students are expected to take a standardised test in each of the first parts of their academic subjects. They again give these tests of the second parts of the same courses at the end of grade 10. Upon successful completion of these two examinations, they are awarded a Secondary School Certificate (or SSC). This locally termed as 'matriculation certificate' or 'matric' for short. The curriculum usually includes a combination of eight courses including electives (such as Biology/Computing, Chemistry and Physics) as well as compulsory subjects (such as English, Urdu, Mathematics, Islamiyat and Pakistan Studies).
Students then enter an intermediate college and complete grades 11 and 12. Upon completion of each of the two grades, they again take standardised tests in their academic subjects. Upon successful completion of these examinations, students are awarded the Higher Secondary (School) Certificate (or HSC). This level of education is also called the FSc/FA or 'intermediate'. There are many streams students can choose for their 11 and 12 grades, such as pre-medical, pre-engineering, humanities (or social sciences) and commerce. Each stream consists of three electives and as well as three compulsory subjects of English, Urdu, Islamiyat (grade 11 only) and Pakistan Studies (grade 12 only).
Alternative qualifications in Pakistan are also available but noare maintained by other examination boards instead BISE. Most common alternative is the General Certificate of Education (or GCE), where SSC and HSC are replaced by Ordinary Level (or O Level) and Advanced Level (or A Level) respectively. Other qualifications include IGCSE which replaces SSC. GCE O Level, IGCSE and GCE AS/A Level are managed by British examination boards of CIE of the Cambridge Assessment and Edexcel of the Pearson PLC. Generally, 8-10 courses are selected by students at GCE O Levels and 3-5 at GCE A Levels.
Advanced Placement (or AP) is an alternative option but much less common than GCE or IGCSE. This replaces the secondary school education as 'High School Education' instead. AP exams are monitored by a North American examination board, College Board and can only be given under supervision of centers which are registered with the College Board, unlike GCE O/AS/A Level and IGCSE which can also be given privately.
[edit] Tertiary education
In 2003-04, only 2.9% of Pakistanis were enrolled in higher education,[9] but this increased to 4.0% in 2008 (5.1% for males & 2.8% for females)[10] and to 4.7% in 2009.[11] Pakistan plans to increase this figure to 10% by 2015 and subsequently to 15% by 2020.[11]
After earning their HSC, students may study in a professional college for Bachelor's degree courses such as engineering (B.Engg), medicine (MBBS), dentistry (BDS), veterinary medicine (DVM), law (LLB), architecture (B.Arch) and nursing (B.Nurs). These courses require four or five years of study. Students can also attend a university for Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree courses.
There are two types of Bachelor courses in Pakistan: Pass or Honours. Pass degree requires two years of study and students normally read three optional subjects (such as Chemistry or Economics) in addition to almost equal number of compulsory subjects (such as English and Pakistan Studies). Honours degree requires three or four years of study, and students normally specialize in a chosen field of study, such as Biochemistry (BSc Hons. Biochemistry). It can be noted that Pass Bachelors is now slowly being phased out for Honours throughout the country.[citation needed]
Many Master's degree programs only require one and a half years of study. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) education is also available in selected areas and is usually pursued after earning an Master's degree. Students pursuing PhD degrees must choose a specific field and a university that is doing research work in that field. PhD education in Pakistan requires at least 3–5 years of study.[citation needed]
[edit] Gender disparity
Among other criticisms the Pakistani education system faces is the gender disparity in enrollment levels. However, in recent years some progress has been made in trying to fix this problem. In 1990-91, the female to male ratio (F/M ratio) of enrollment was 0.47 for primary level of education. It reached to 0.74 in 1999-2000, showing the F/M ratio has improved by 57.44% within the decade. For the middle level of education it was 0.42 in the start of decade and increased to 0.68 by the end of decade, so it has improved almost 62%. In both cases the gender disparity is decreased but relatively more rapidly at middle level.[12]
The gender disparity in enrollment at secondary level of education was 0.4 in 1990-91 and 0.67 in 1999-2000, showing that the disparity decreased by 67.5% in the decade. At the college level it was 0.50 in 1990-91 and reached 0.81 in 1999-2000, showing that the disparity decreased by 64%. The gender disparity has decreased comparatively rapidly at secondary school.[12]
However, the gender disparity is affected by the Taliban enforcement of a complete ban on female education in the Swat district, as reported in a January 21, 2009 issue of the Pakistan daily newspaper The News. Some 400 private schools enrolling 40,000 girls have been shut down. At least 10 girls' schools that tried to open after the January 15, 2009 deadline by the Taliban were blown up by the militants in the town of Mingora, the headquarters of the Swat district.[13] "More than 170 schools have been bombed or torched, along with other government-owned buildings."[13]
[edit] Spending on education
As a percentage of GDP, Pakistan spends only 2.9% of it on Education.[14] However, the government recently approved the new national education policy, which would result in education being allocated 7% of the GDP.[11] An idea, first suggested by the Punjab government.[15] The government plans to raise the literacy rate to 85% by 2015.[11] In accordance with the target set by the Millennium Development Goals for Pakistan.
[edit] University rankings
During 1947-2003, not a single university in Pakistan could be ranked among the top 600 of the world, but today five Pakistani universities belong to this prestigious group, with the National University of Science and Technology at No 350 (Times, Higher Education, UK rankings)[16] In the field of Natural Sciences, the progress is even more remarkable, with the University of Karachi ranked at 223, National University of Science and Technology ranked at 260 and Quaid-e-Azam University ranked at 270.
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Literacy rate

Literacy Rate - Pakistan, Sources:[10][17]
It needs to be highlighted that from census to census the definition of literacy has been undergoing a change, resultantly the literacy figure has vascillated irregularly during the last 5 census. An update of the five censuses is as under:[17]
Year ofcensus
Literacy rate
Definition of being 'literate'
Male
Female
Total
1951
16.4%
One who can read a clear print in any language
1961
16.3%
One who is able to read with understanding a simple letter in any language
1972
30.2%
11.6%
21.7%
One who is able to read and write in some language with understanding
1981
35.1%
16.0%
26.2%
One who can read newspaper and write a simple letter
1998
54.8%
32.0%
43.9%
One who can read a newspaper and write a simple letter, in any language
2004
66.25%
41.75%
54%
2008[18]
68.2%
43.6%
56.2%
Table below shows the literacy rate of Pakistan by province.
Province
Literacy Rate
1972
1981
1998
2008[1]
Punjab
20.7%
27.4%
46.6%
60.2%
Sindh
30.2%
31.5%
45.3%
57.7%
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
15.5%
16.7%
35.4%
49.9%
Balochistan
10.1%
10.3%
26.6%
48.8%
Azad Kashmir had a literacy rate of 62% back in 2004. Higher than any other region in Pakistan. Out of 62% about 55.47% were people at the age of 10 or a little above of it, 70.52% were male and 40.46% were female.[19] However, only 2.2% were graduates compared to the average of 2.9% for the whole of Pakistan in 2004.[20]
Literacy rate of Pakistani districts (2006)[21][22]
Rank
District
Province
Literacy rate
Rank
District
Province
Literacy rate
view • talk • edit
IslamabadRawalpindi, Punjab
1
Islamabad
Capital Territory
72.38%
11
Gujranwala
Punjab
56.55%
2
Rawalpindi
Punjab
70.45%
12
Haripur
North-West Frontier
53.72%
3
Karachi
Sindh
65.26%
13
Narowal
Punjab
52.65%
4
Lahore
Punjab
64.66%
14
Faisalabad
Punjab
51.94%
5
Jhelum
Punjab
63.92%
15
Toba Tek Singh
Punjab
50.50%
6
Gujrat
Punjab
62.18%
16
Attock
Punjab
49.27%
7
Sialkot
Punjab
58.92%
17
Mandi Bahauddin
Punjab
47.44%
8
Quetta
Balochistan
57.07%
18
Sukkur
Sindh
46.62%
9
Chakwal
Punjab
56.72%
19
Sargodha
Punjab
46.30%
10
Abbottabad
North-West Frontier
56.61%
20
Hyderabad
Sindh
44.25%
[edit] School attendance
Population aged 10 & over that has ever attended school, highest and lowest figures by region. Islamabad has the highest rate in the country at 85%, whilst Jhal Magsi has the lowest rate at 20%.[23]
Province
Highest
Lowest
Punjab
Rawalpindi (77%)
Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur (40%)
Sindh
Karachi (78%)
Jacobabad (34%)
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Abbottabad (67%)
Upper Dir (34%)
Balochistan
Quetta (64%)
Jhal Magsi (20%)
[edit] See also
Pakistan Studies curriculum
Education in Karachi
Education in Lower Dir District
[edit] References
^ a b c d "Federal Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan". http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/publications/lfs2007_08/lfs2007_08.html.
^ a b c d "Ministry of Education, Pakistan". http://www.moe.gov.pk/Pakistan%20Education%20Statistics%2007-08.pdf.
^ Peter Blood, ed. (1994). "Pakistan - EDUCATION". Pakistan: A Country Study. GPO for the Library of Congress. http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/42.htm. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
^ "Ranking of districts by literacy rates and illiterates (By 10+ and 15+ Years Age Groups)". http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=15150629&postcount=295.
^ http://www.unesco.org/education/GMR2006/full/chapt7_eng.pdf - Figure 7.7:
^ Kristof, Nicholas D. (14 May 2010). "Op-Ed:Pakistan and Times Square". San Diego, California: San Diego Union-Tribune. pp. B6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/opinion/13kristof.html.
^ "seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009670134_pakistanschool16.html". http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009670134_pakistanschool16.html.
^ "www.unfpa.org/swp/2009/en/pdf/EN_SOWP09_ICPD.pdf" (PDF). http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2009/en/pdf/EN_SOWP09_ICPD.pdf.
^ "www.shailaja.net/pakistan%20reforms%20story.htm". http://www.shailaja.net/pakistan%20reforms%20story.htm.
^ a b "www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/publications/lfs2007_08/results.pdf" (PDF). http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/publications/lfs2007_08/results.pdf.
^ a b c d "www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/13+cabinet+approves+education+policy+2009-za-08". http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/13+cabinet+approves+education+policy+2009-za-08.
^ a b Khan, Tasnim; Khan, Rana Ejaz Ali (2004). "Gender Disparity in Education - Extents, Trends and Factors" (pdf). Journal of Research (Faculty of Languages & Islamic Studies). http://bzu.edu.pk/jrlanguages/Vol-5%202004/Tasnim%20Khan%20&%20Rana%20Ejaz-3.pdf. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
^ a b The News, Pakistan, January 21, 2009.
^ "www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ix9BXdyO9AsnPc0-hNjsV3JTQ50gD9BQQ3KG0". http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ix9BXdyO9AsnPc0-hNjsV3JTQ50gD9BQQ3KG0.
^ "www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Lahore/06-Sep-2009/Punjab-govt-suggests-200pc-increase-in-edu-budget". http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Lahore/06-Sep-2009/Punjab-govt-suggests-200pc-increase-in-edu-budget.
^ "The golden period By Prof Dr Wolfgang Voelter". http://epaper.dawn.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=23_11_2008_123_003&typ=0.
^ a b "unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145959e.pdf" (PDF). http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145959e.pdf.
^ "www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/18-literacy-day-today-education-not-on-govts-priority-list-am-03". http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/18-literacy-day-today-education-not-on-govts-priority-list-am-03.
^ Literacy Rate in Azad Kashmir nearly 62 pc.
^ http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-4-2005_pg7_37 - 7th Paragraph.
^ Daily Times
^ CSS Forum
^ "www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/statistics/pslm0405_district/education.pdf" (PDF). http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/statistics/pslm0405_district/education.pdf.
[edit] Further reading
K.K. Aziz. (2004) The Murder of History : A Critique of History Textbooks used in Pakistan. Vanguard. ISBN 969-402-126-X
Nayyar, A. H. & Salim, Ahmad. (2003) The Subtle Subversion: The State of Curricula and Text-books in Pakistan - Urdu, English, Social Studies and Civics. Sustainable Development Policy Institute. The Subtle Subversion
Pervez Hoodbhoy and A. H. Nayyar. Rewriting the history of Pakistan, in Islam, Politics and the state: The Pakistan Experience, Ed. Mohammad Asghar Khan, Zed Books, London, 1985.
Mubarak Ali. In the Shadow of history, Nigarshat, Lahore; History on Trial, Fiction House, Lahore, 1999; Tareekh Aur Nisabi Kutub, Fiction House, Lahore, 2003.
Rubina Saigol. Knowledge and Identity - Articulation of Gender in Educational Discourse in Pakistan, ASR, Lahore 1995
Tariq Rahman, Denizens of Alien Worlds: A Study of Education, Inequality and Polarization in Pakistan Karachi, Oxford University Press, 2004. Reprint. 2006.
Tariq Rahman, Language, Ideology and Power: Language learning among the Muslims of Pakistan and North India Karachi, Oxford UP, 2002.
Tariq Rahman, Language and Politics in Pakistan Karachi: Oxford UP, 1996. Rept. several times. see 2006 edition.
World Bank Case Study on Primary Education in Pakistan
[edit] External links
Ministry of Education, Pakistan
Islamic Education in Pakistan by C. Christine Fair, U.S. Institute of Peace
Eduvision-All About Study In Pakistan, Pakistan
Pakistan Educational Portal for Students
Free Educational Resource for Pakistan
[show]
v • d • eLife in Pakistan
Cinema · Climate · Cuisine · Music · Culture · Demographics · Economy · Education · Flag · Foreign relations · Geography · Government · History · Holidays · Human rights · Languages · Military · Politics · Religion · Sports · Theatre · Transport

[show]
v • d • e Pakistan topics
Basic topics · Alphabetical index of topics
History
Indus Valley Civilization • Vedic period • Achaemenid Empire • Alexander the Great • Battle of the Hydaspes • Ashoka the Great • Maurya Empire • Greco-Bactrian Kingdom • Greco-Buddhism • Indo-Greek Kingdom • Kushan Empire • Umayyad Caliphate • Muhammad bin Qasim • Solanki • Ghaznavid Empire (Mahmud of Ghazni) • Muhammad of Ghor • Islamic empires (Delhi Sultanate • Qutb-ud-din Aybak • Khilji dynasty) • Mughal Empire • Nader Shah • Durrani Empire • Ranjit Singh • First / Second Anglo-Sikh War • First / Second / Third Anglo-Afghan War • Durand Line • Muslim League • Jinnah's 14 Points • Lahore Resolution • Partition • Independence • 1947 War • Baghdad Pact • Indus Waters Treaty • 1965 War • 1971 War • Baloch insurgency • Kargil War • War in North-West Pakistan
Geography
Administrative units (Provinces • Divisions • Districts • Cities • ISO 3166-2:PK) • Demographics • Climate • Mountains • Mountain passes • Glaciers • Volcanoes • Indo-Gangetic Plain • Pothohar Plateau • Salt Range • Deserts (Cholistan • Indus Valley Desert • Kharan • Thal • Thar) • Arabian Sea (Gwadar Bay • Indus Delta • Islands) • Water resources (Rivers • Lakes) • Water supply and sanitation • Dams • Tectonics • Natural disasters (Earthquakes • Floods) • Environmental issues • Wildlife • Protected areas (National parks • Wildlife sanctuaries • Wetlands sites) • Heritage sites
Economy
Banking (Banks) • Building infrastructure • Companies • Currency • Energy (Electricity • Fuel extraction • Nuclear power • Power stations • Solar power • Wind power) • Healthcare (Hospitals) • Industry (Agriculture • Automobile • Mining • Tourism) • Low-cost housing • Islamabad / Karachi / Lahore stock exchanges • Postage stamps • Poverty • Telecommunications • Trade unions • Transport (Airlines • Airports • Pakistan Railways • Port of Karachi • Port Qasim)
Politics
Constitution • Elections • Foreign relations • Political parties • Terrorism (State terrorism) • State of emergency, 2007 • Parliament • (Senate • National Assembly) • Supreme Court • Jirga • Military • Intelligence • President (succession) • Prime Minister • Chief Justice • Mayors of Karachi • Provincial governments (Balochistan • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa • Punjab • Sindh) • Local government Feudalism • Human rghts (LGBT rights)
Culture
Architecture • Botanical gardens • Cinema (Kara Film Festival) • Clothing (Ajrak • Dupatta • Fashion labels • Karakul • Kurta • Pakul • Sari • Shalwar-Kameez • Sherwani) • Cuisine • Diaspora • Education (Schools • Universities) • Galleries • Gardens • Holidays • Languages • Libraries • Literature • Marriage • Media • Museums • Music (Musicians) • Nationalism • National symbols (Flag • National Anthem • State emblem) • List of Pakistanis • Parks • Prostitution • Radio • Religion (Islam:Mosques • Hinduism:Hindu temples • Christianity:Churches • Sikhism:Gurdwaras • Buddhism • Bahá'í Faith • Judaism) • Scouting • Social clubs • Television (Stations) • Theatre • Zoos
Sports
A1 Grand Prix team • Cricket (Cricket Board • National team • Test cricket umpires) • Field hockey (National team) • Football (Premier League • National Football Challenge Cup • National team • Football Federation) • Gilli-danda • Golf Federation (Pakistan Open) • Kabaddi • Lahore Marathon • Olympics and Paralympics • Rugby union (National team) • Shandur Polo Festival • Squash • Stadiums • Tennis Federation (Davis Cup team) • Tour de Pakistan
WikiProject • Portal
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v • d • eEducation in Asia
Sovereignstates
Afghanistan · Armenia1 · Azerbaijan1 · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Burma2 · Cambodia · People's Republic of China · Cyprus1 · East Timor3 · Egypt4 · Georgia4 · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Israel · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan4 · North Korea · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Malaysia · Maldives · Mongolia · Nepal · Oman · Pakistan · Philippines · Qatar · Russia4 · Saudi Arabia · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Syria · Tajikistan · Republic of China5 · Thailand · Turkey4 · Turkmenistan · United Arab Emirates · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen
States with limitedrecognition
Abkhazia1 · Nagorno-Karabakh · Northern Cyprus · Palestine · South Ossetia1
Dependencies,autonomies,other territories
Aceh · Adjara1 · Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Altai · British Indian Ocean Territory · Buryatia · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Guangxi · Hong Kong · Inner Mongolia · Iraqi Kurdistan · Khakassia · Macau · Nakhchivan · Ningxia · Papua · Sakha Republic · Tibet · Tuva · West Papua · Xinjiang
1 Sometimes included in Europe, depending on the border definitions. 2 Officially known as Myanmar. 3 Sometimes included in Oceania, and also known as Timor-Leste. 4 Transcontinental country. 5 Commonly known as Taiwan.
[show]
v • d • eSchools
By educational stage
Early years
Preschool · Pre-K · Kindergarten · Nursery school
Primary education
Primary school · Elementary school
Secondary education
High school · Secondary school · Middle school · Grammar school · Upper school · University-preparatory school · Independent school (UK) · Gymnasium
Tertiary education
University · Vocational school · College · Community college · Upper division college
Higher education
Academy · Polytechnic
Adult training
Further education · Continuing education · Adult education
By funding / eligibility
Free education · Private school · State/Public/Government school · Independent school · Independent school (UK) · Charter school · Academy (UK) · Comprehensive school
By style of education
Day school · Alternative school · Parochial school · Free school · Boarding school · Magnet school · Virtual school · K-12
By scope
Compulsory education · Democratic education · Vocational school · Tertiary-preparatory school
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Categories: Education in Pakistan
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