KARACHI:
Education crisis in Pakistan is both structural and psychological in nature. However, the psychological dimension is the more underexplored yet decisive constraint today. The discourse has traditionally focused on underfunded schools, outdated curricula and unequal access as the primary causes of failure. In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed the introduction of technology-driven learning initiatives and curriculum reforms. Yet the expected outcomes have not fully materialised.
This paradox suggests that the core issue lies somewhere else. It is deeply rooted in distorted societal mindset toward education, where education is primarily not viewed as a process of intellectual development but rather as a formal requirement. This limited understanding shapes decisions at the family level. In many cases, children are kept out of school due to perceived low value. When they are enrolled, the emphasis shifts toward certification rather than the pursuit of knowledge. Consequently, rote-based learning becomes normalised, reducing it to a mechanical exercise rather than a formative intellectual experience. Education, therefore, becomes a means rather than an end in itself. ASER evidence shows that while 90% of children are now enrolled in schools, nearly two-thirds are unable to read a simple grade 2 level text. This stark gap between learning and schooling highlights a deeper failure of engagement and understanding within the education system.
What needs to be redressed immediately is the underlying mindset. Unless this is addressed no number of platforms, reforms or initiatives can produce meaningful outcomes. As per Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey, some households consider schooling unnecessary for children, reflecting deep-rooted variations in attitudes toward education. Real transformation requires not only institutional change but also a shift in how education is perceived at the societal level. The system cannot evolve without a parallel evolution in mindsets that shape it. To change the system we need to change the mindsets to embrace that change.
Samiya Kiran
Lahore
