KARACHI:
Rising educational fees have made quality education increasingly inaccessible to the general public in Pakistan. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2024-25 and recent FAFEN reports, the country’s literacy rate remains around 60 to 63 per cent, which is among the lowest in South Asia. The continuous increase in the cost of education is further worsening this already serious challenge.
Parents are struggling to meet nearly unaffordable expenses such as tuition fees, stationery, uniforms and transport charges. Reports indicate that many private schools and colleges have raised their fees by 50-80 per cent, with elite institutions costing even more. As a result, quality education is moving beyond the reach of low-income and middle-class families. Experts also warn that if this trend continues, school enrollment, particularly among girls, is likely to decline.
Education is a basic human right, and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure access to learning for every child. Although government schools cater to a large number of students, public spending on education remains inadequate. Pakistan’s low investment in this sector makes the fight against illiteracy more difficult.
The government must increase the education budget, regulate unjustified fee hikes and take steps to improve the standard of public schools. Solving the literacy crisis is essential for national progress and should remain a top policy priority.
Asadullah Khan
Islamabad
