Parents in Peril: Navigating Pakistan’s Education Maze for Their Children’s Future (By Dr. Jahanzeb Khan – NUST)
In Pakistan, education is often seen as the key to a better future. However, for millions of parents, securing quality education for their children is a daunting and often heartbreaking challenge. From navigating the divide between private and public schools to dealing with financial constraints and systemic inefficiencies, parents are caught in a maze with no clear way out. This article explores the struggles of Pakistani parents as they try to provide their children with the education they deserve, highlighting real-life stories, systemic issues, and the long-term implications for the country. 1. The Dream of Education: A Parent’s Hope For Pakistani parents, education is more than just a means to acquire knowledge—it is a pathway out of poverty and a chance for a better life. Many parents, especially those from low-income backgrounds, see education as the only way to break the cycle of poverty and give their children opportunities they never had. A Father’s Struggle in Rural Punjab Take the story of Rashid Ahmed, a daily wage laborer from a small village in Punjab. Rashid dreams of sending his two children to school, but the nearest government school is 5 kilometers away, and he cannot afford the transportation costs. The local public school lacks basic facilities, and the teachers are often absent. Rashid is torn between sending his children to a substandard school or keeping them at home to help with household chores. A Mother’s Sacrifice in Karachi In Karachi, Saima Bibi, a single mother, works as a housemaid to pay for her son’s education at a low-cost private school. Despite her meager income, Saima prioritizes her son’s education, hoping it will secure him a better future. However, the rising fees and additional costs for books and uniforms are becoming unbearable. Saima fears she may have to pull her son out of school if her financial situation does not improve. These stories are just two examples of the countless parents across Pakistan who are struggling to navigate the education maze. Their struggles highlight the systemic issues that make access to quality education a luxury rather than a right. 2. The Public School Dilemma: Free but Flawed Public schools are supposed to be the backbone of Pakistan’s education system, providing free education to all children. However, the reality is far from ideal. Poor Infrastructure and Resources According to the Pakistan Education Statistics Report 2021-22, 34% of public primary schools lack electricity, and 28% do not have functional toilets. Many schools operate in dilapidated buildings with broken furniture and no access to clean drinking water. These conditions make it difficult for students to focus on their studies and discourage parents from sending their children to school. Teacher Absenteeism and Quality Teacher absenteeism is another major issue in public schools. A 2019 World Bank report found that 15% of teachers in public schools are absent on any given day. Even when teachers are present, many are poorly trained and lack the motivation to teach effectively. As a result, learning outcomes in public schools are often dismal. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2021 revealed that 57% of fifth-grade students in public schools cannot read a simple story in their native language. The Ghost School Phenomenon In some areas, parents face the added challenge of ghost schools—schools that exist only on paper but receive government funding. These schools deprive children of education and erode public trust in the system. According to a 2019 report by the Auditor General of Pakistan, thousands of ghost schools have siphoned off billions of rupees meant for education. 3. The Private School Paradox: Quality at a Cost For parents who can afford it, private schools offer a way out of the public school system. However, the cost of private education is often prohibitive for low- and middle-income families. High Fees and Hidden Costs Private schools in Pakistan charge a wide range of fees, from PKR 2,000 to PKR 20,000 per month, depending on the school’s location and reputation. In addition to tuition fees, parents must pay for uniforms, books, transportation, and extracurricular activities. For many families, these costs are simply unaffordable. The Rise of Low-Cost Private Schools In recent years, low-cost private schools have emerged as an alternative for families who cannot afford elite private schools but are dissatisfied with public education. These schools charge lower fees (around PKR 1,000-3,000 per month) and often provide better quality education than public schools. However, even these schools are out of reach for many families, especially in rural areas. A Mother’s Dilemma in Lahore Ayesha Khan, a mother of three in Lahore, faces a difficult choice. She wants to send her children to a private school but cannot afford the fees. The local public school is overcrowded and underfunded, leaving Ayesha with no good options. “I want my children to have a better future, but I don’t know how to make it happen,” she says. 4. The Gender Gap: A Barrier to Education For parents of girls, the challenges are even greater. Cultural norms, safety concerns, and a lack of girls’ schools often prevent parents from sending their daughters to school. Early Marriages and Gender Discrimination In many parts of Pakistan, girls are expected to marry young and prioritize household responsibilities over education. According to the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2019-20, 32% of girls in rural areas are out of school, compared to 21% of boys. Early marriages and gender discrimination are major barriers to girls’ education. A Father’s Hope in Balochistan Abdul Rehman, a farmer in Balochistan, dreams of sending his daughter to school. However, the nearest girls’ school is 10 kilometers away, and Abdul cannot afford the transportation costs. “I want my daughter to be educated, but the system is stacked against us,” he says. 5. The Way Forward: Solutions for Parents and Policymakers The struggles of Pakistani parents highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms in the education sector. Here are some steps that can be taken to address the challenges: Increase Funding for Public Education The government must prioritize education by increasing the education budget to at least 4-6% of GDP. This funding should be used to