The state of literacy rate in Pakistan is far from satisfactory. A country of 240 million people has been unable to chisel the edifice of being a developed country, is an example of anomaly in education sector. Along with so many core issues to the current crisis of economy and political stability, low literacy rate stands above all and its knock on effect on the progress of Pakistan is pertinent and crystal clear.
The gross enrolment rate (GER), according to Pakistan Educational statistics 2021-22, shows that enrolment for boys is 82% and 71% for girls at primary level. It further shrinks up to 53% for boys and 48% for girls at middle level. The situation gets worse at secondary level where GER for boys falls to 44% and 39% for females and 22% for boys and 21% for girls at higher secondary level. In 2019 the literacy rate was 62% in men and 46.69% in women while concluding 58% overall. There are various reasons behind it. The close cascaded patriarchal mindset doesn’t allow the 52% of 240 million to get desired education. The education policy has always been unable to meet its required targets and the efforts to catchup with ever-changing demands in the sphere of education are yawning and tardial approach of Pakistan’s government is negligible in the realm of education. The budget which is confined for education is way less than 2% of GDP. The absence of schooling and proper education regarding the adolescence is also a problem. Government of Pakistan should devise ways and means to increase GER specifically at secondary and higher secondary level. The support for boys, not the “boys” our society refers to, in terms of schooling, child labor and the social and familial responsibilities should be addressed. The first and foremost step for the education of women will define the satisfactory state of literacy rate in Pakistan.
