Your editorial headlined ‘Education crisis’ published on January 3 rightly frames Pakistan’s education crisis as a national emergency, and as a PhD scholar studying education policy, I believe this moment demands not just recognition but actionable solutions.
The recent Household Integrated Economic Survey reveals a sobering reality: Pakistan’s education crisis is not only persistent but also worsening. As a PhD scholar in education policy, I interpret these figures as indicators of structural failures that will determine the nation’s future trajectory.
With 20 million children out of school and education spending below 1% of GDP, the challenge is systemic. International evidence demonstrates that without sustained investment in primary and secondary education, nations are unable to achieve inclusive growth. The gender and provincial disparities identified in the survey require targeted interventions rather than uniform solutions.
Policy responses must extend beyond rhetoric. Direct financial support for families, alternative learning pathways and strengthened local governance mechanisms can help reverse this trend. Equally important is the integration of education policy with social protection and nutrition programmes, as effective learning cannot occur when children are malnourished.
Education is not a privilege; it is a public good, a constitutional obligation and addressing it as a national emergency is essential for Pakistan’s stability and progress.
Warda Mashhood
Toronto
