Experts urge political will to fix education crisis

Political will and equitable financing stand as requisites to transforming Pakistan's education system. Without prioritising gender equality and social inclusion, Pakistan risks losing another generation to marginalisation, inequality and systemic exclusion. These words were echoed at the Annual Convention, which was organised by the Pakistan Coalition for Education, an initiative of Society for Access to Quality Education (SAQE), held in Islamabad today.

During the convention, MNA Dr Shaista Khan underscored that Pakistan's chronically low public investment in education is denying millions of children, especially girls, their right to education, which is worsened by seasonal dropouts and climate-induced disruptions. She called for not just higher financing but sustained political will and consensus to secure policy continuity beyond shifting governments and priorities. She reaffirmed her commitment to champion the priorities highlighted within Parliament, ensuring they translate from dialogue into decisive action.

Executive Director of the Society for Access to Quality Education Zehra Arshad emphasised that true education transformation is impossible without prioritising increased financing and embedding gender equality and social inclusion at every level of policy and practice. She stressed that without systemic commitment and equitable investment, promises of inclusive education will remain unfulfilled.

"Accountability in education financing must go beyond numbers; it must ensure that every rupee truly serves every girl's right to learn. This is only possible when communities are mobilised and young people are meaningfully involved, bringing their lived experiences to shape solutions that work", said Malala Fund Pakistan Chief Executive Dr Nishat Riaz.

Pakistan Institute for Education Director General Dr Shahid Soroya reinforced the point by saying that Pakistan cannot tackle its education emergency without committing at least 6 per cent of its GDP to education, as the current resources are inadequate to accommodate the annual 1.7 per cent increase in school-age children.

Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Economist Ali Kemal gave his analysis of the effect of IMF conditionalities. "Rising debt repayments are squeezing Pakistan's already limited fiscal space for social sectors. To break this cycle, debt servicing must go hand in hand with reforms that protect and prioritize education and social investments," he said.