Statistical Information:
The literacy rate in Pakistan is discussed in the article, along with current trends. The main statistics are as follows:
According to Pakistan's education secretary, Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, the country's actual literacy percentage as of the most recent national census is 59.3%.
The Economic Survey 2022–23 indicated a literacy rate of 62.8%; this value is lower. Due to the lack of the most recent census data, the Economic Survey's rate was based on a projected figure.
Different provinces have seen some improvement in their literacy rates: in Punjab, it went from 66.1% to 66.3%; in Sindh, it went from 61.1% to 61.8%; in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it went from 52.4% to 55.1%; and in Balochistan, it went from 53.9% to 54.5%.
Economic Survey 2022-23 states that Pakistan now spends less than 2% of its GDP on education. In fiscal year 2022, total education spending was projected to account for 1.7% of GDP.
With 32% of children not attending school, the poll also brought attention to the issue of children who are not in school. The greatest percentage was recorded in Balochistan (47%), followed by Sindh (44%), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (32%), and Punjab (24%).
Over 23 million children in Pakistan, the country with the largest percentage of out-of-school children worldwide, do not attend school.
Reports indicate that many fifth graders have difficulty reading sentences in both English and Urdu, raising serious concerns about the quality of education.
The quality of higher education has also decreased, which has sparked protests among PhD holders looking for positions at government universities.
The article focuses on the requirement for more money and assistance for Pakistan's educational system.
APA Reference:
Abbasi, K. (2023, September 9). Pakistan’s literacy rate on a downward spiral. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1672990
Repercussions:
According to the report, Pakistan's falling literacy rate has serious consequences for the country. Pakistan's education system is in a precarious position with an actual literacy rate of barely 59.3%, according to the education secretary, and an even lower rate of 62.8% predicted by the Economic Survey 2022–23. Notably, the nation's pitiful allocation of less than 2% of its GDP for education highlights how serious the problem is. The issue is made worse by the worrying statistic that 32% of kids do not attend school, with a startling 47% in Balochistan. Reports of fifth graders having difficulty with fundamental reading abilities in both English and Urdu further exacerbate this severe situation, raising questions about the caliber of instruction. Even higher education has seen a downturn, which has sparked protests from PhD holders looking for jobs at public universities. In addition to harming individual chances, the effects of this drop in literacy rates constitute a severe threat to Pakistan's socioeconomic progress.
Solutions:
Pakistan's declining literacy rate calls for immediate and all-encompassing answers to the problems it presents. First and foremost, there is a critical need to allocate more money for education, ensuring that it accounts for a bigger share of GDP than the current meager 1.7%. This will make it possible to upgrade the infrastructure, prepare teachers, and offer top-notch educational resources. Targeted interventions are also necessary to address the problem of children not attending school, with an emphasis on Balochistan and Sindh, where the situation is most severe. Improving teacher preparation programs and curriculum creation is essential to raising educational standards, especially at the basic and secondary levels. In addition, it should be a top priority to address the issues faced by Ph.D. holders looking for jobs in higher education institutions in order to raise the standard of tertiary education. To stop the falling trend in Pakistan's literacy rate and guarantee a better future for its youth, a joint effort from the government, civic society, and international organizations is essential.
