What happens when a nation’s future is hindered by the inability to read and write? Pakistan, a country with immense potential, faces precisely this challenge with a current literacy rate of 62.3.
What Is Illiteracy?
According to UNESCO, illiteracy refers to the inability to read and write with proficiency in any language, or to use written information effectively in daily life. Another definition refers to illiteracy as the state of being unable to read and write. It is also the inability to access information, participate in civic life, and improve one’s socio-economic status.
Why Is Education Important For A Nation’s Development?
Education is the foundation of a nation’s progress. It is critical for fostering economic, social, and cultural development. Education provides citizens with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities, allowing them to make important contributions to their communities and society as a whole. As Aristotle stated in his book Nichomachean Ethics, “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body.”
It exposes people to a wide range of cultures, viewpoints, languages, and races, widening understanding and empathy. It increases people’s tolerance. A well-educated populace is better able to innovate, adapt to technological changes, avoid unemployment, and negotiate complicated global concerns. Furthermore, it helps to minimize poverty, inequality, and social unrest by providing chances for upward mobility and cohesion. Educated individuals know more about their rights and duties and hence, can participate efficiently in democratic processes.
The Causes of Illiteracy in Pakistan
1. Poverty
Poverty in the country is a significant barrier to education. Families striving to satisfy their fundamental requirements sometimes prioritize everyday survival above investing in education. Children from destitute families are obliged to work rather than attend school, continuing the cycle of child labor and illiteracy. Data from UNICEF states that almost 22.8 million children aged 5 to 16 are out of school in Pakistan. World Bank data states that over 40% of Pakistan’s population has fallen below the poverty level. This economic reality reduces access to decent education, aggravating illiteracy rates.
2. Gender Discrimination
Deep-rooted cultural and patriarchal attitudes impede education, particularly among women in Pakistan. In certain areas, female education is viewed as unnecessary or even undesirable leading to girls and women being deprived of education. Early marriages, parenting duties, and domestic work frequently take priority over educational goals leading to growing illiteracy in the country. Female access to school is restricted by societal expectations and gender roles, which contributes to Pakistan’s considerable gender literacy inequality.
3. Inadequate Funds
One of the main reasons for low literacy in the state is inadequate financing and ineffective resource distribution. The government’s allocation for education is regularly lower than the targeted 4% of GDP. This year the federal government and provinces were overall allocated 1.91% of the GDP for education. Corruption and mismanagement have already been squandering what limited resources are available for the educational sector of Pakistan. This leads to inadequate infrastructure, poor teacher training, and an obsolete curriculum.
4. Lack of Accountability
Inefficient checks by the government and a lack of accountability worsen the education issue. Corruption and instability threaten Pakistan’s educational system which is also afflicted by the occurrence of “ghost schools,” those that exist solely on paper but lack real infrastructure, students, and professors. Despite receiving government money, these ineffective institutions deprive thousands of youngsters of access to education. According to government estimates, over 7000 ghost schools have been detected in Pakistan. These have led to the waste of the public’s money and the maintenance of illiteracy.
5. Short Tenures and Changing Policies
Rapid and unnecessary changes in administration and policy can undermine long-term planning and reform efforts. This volatility fosters a climate in which education is frequently disregarded, allowing illiteracy to thrive. Outdated curricula and inadequate educational practices impede literacy attempts. The emphasis on rote learning over critical thinking and skill development reduces educational value. Insufficient emphasis on vocational training and technical education renders pupils unprepared for the labor market. Furthermore, linguistic and cultural differences between the curriculum and students’ backgrounds present impediments to comprehension.
6. Increasing Population
Pakistan’s exploding population puts an enormous demand on already limited educational resources. Rural regions, where population growth is strongest, have major educational gaps. Most of the major universities, schools, and, colleges are in urban areas. Rural populations face challenges such as limited school access, poor infrastructure, and a dearth of competent instructors. Education quality and accessibility differences between urban and rural areas worsen illiteracy rates.
The Consequences of Illiteracy in Pakistan
1. Decline Of Critical Thinking
Pakistan has seen an increase in madrassah enrolment, particularly among economically disadvantaged groups. Poverty and a lack of access to high-quality education are major factors driving this trend. Madrassahs provide free or low-cost education, accommodation, and meals, making them an appealing choice for families struggling to get by. However, these organizations frequently prioritize religious indoctrination above critical thinking and intellectual investigation, creating a climate that might encourage extremism and intolerance. The concentration on rote learning and memorization of religious texts may limit pupils’ exposure to sciences, social sciences, and critical thinking abilities, impeding their capacity to connect with the modern world.
In Pakistan, government institutions lack merit-based appointments, which has resulted in standards being compromised. This is demonstrated by a shocking comment, made a few years, back by a member of the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board that even renowned physicist Isaac Newton ought to wear a “dupatta.” This remark illustrates how much conformity is valued above critical thinking and intellectual rigor.
2. Rise of Elitism
Freedom of expression in Pakistan’s public and private educational institutions is under rising threat. Due to a lack of government institutions, the country saw a growth in private schools after the 1980s. However, this transition has not resulted in more intellectual freedom. Instead, private institutions have limited students’ capacity to express themselves freely. The suppression of open conversation in Pakistani classrooms is a major issue, impeding the development of critical thinking, creativity, and civic involvement.
Students are frequently discouraged from addressing delicate issues, challenging established narratives, or investigating other viewpoints. This restriction on free expression jeopardizes the country’s development towards a more informed, tolerant, and welcoming society. Pakistan’s upper class often attends top colleges, such as Aitchison, before continuing their studies overseas. When they return home, they use their important connections to secure critical positions inside the system, maintaining a cycle of privilege while restricting prospects for others.
How Can We Tackle the Literacy Rate Crisis?
Pakistan confronts a critical juncture in 2024, with its population expanding quickly and with a significant lack of necessary skills. The people in Pakistan are rapidly sinking into the shadows of illiteracy. While policies are crafted, their execution is often non-existent, necessitating increased pressure for tangible change. The public must assert their right to quality education by holding the government accountable for its inadequacies. Only by concentrated efforts and strong implementation can we expect to turn the tide of illiteracy and provide Pakistan’s expanding population with the skills it needs for a better future.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
She is a student of International Relations with a passion for law, politics, and current affairs.