Pakistan has lowest regional ranking in terms of funding for education, with its public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP estimated to be 1.7% for FY 2022–23.
The government’s allocation of Rs. 97.098 billion for Education Affairs and Services in the federal budget for the fiscal year 2023–24 has attracted attention and criticism due to its comparatively small increase of about 5.5 percent over the revised allocation of the current fiscal year.
Pakistan has the lowest regional ranking in terms of funding for education, with its public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP estimated to be 1.7 percent for the fiscal year 2022–23.
Experts and education advocates have emphasised the need for more investment in the education sector in order to address the issues and gaps in quality education.
The majority of the funds, or Rs. 76.589 billion, have been allocated for Tertiary Education Affairs and Services, making up about 79% of the overall budget for this category.
Pre-primary and primary education-related expenditures will receive Rs. 4.468 billion, an increase from the budget for the prior year. The Secondary Education Affairs and Services budget has been allocated Rs. 10.778 billion.
A provision of Rs. 3.698 billion has also been made in the budget for administration, with the goal of assisting with management and coordination of educational institutions. However, questions have been raised about whether these funds are sufficient to meet the administrative requirements and improve the entire educational system.
Education has been devolved to the provinces since the 18th Constitutional Amendment, and the federal government mainly focuses on funding higher education.
In accordance with this, the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has increased the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) allocation from the prior year to Rs. 59.71 billion for the fiscal year 2023–24. This funding is intended to aid in the growth and development of institutions of higher learning throughout the nation.
Even though the budgetary allocation for education has increased, the government’s commitment to addressing the industry’s urgent problems has been questioned in light of the growth’s modest size.
Advocates for education emphasise the importance of making significant investments to improve access, quality, and inclusivity in education, ensuring a better future for the nation’s youth and long-term sustainable development.