ISLAMABAD: As an important step towards the improvement of Pakistan’s education system, the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training on Thursday officially approved the “Public Financing in Education” report 2022-23. This report has been prepared by Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE).
It presents a detailed analysis of the financial expenditure in the education sector during the last four years. The key findings in the report highlight the crisis in education funding and the need for urgent reforms.
According to the report, education expenditure in Pakistan is only 1.5 percent of GDP, which is less than 1.7 percent last year. These are far below the international standard of 4 percent under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is also a lack of balance in the education budget. 88% of the budget is being spent on salaries and other daily expenses. Only 12 percent is earmarked for development projects. are inadequate for the improvement of educational infrastructure.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Secretary Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Muhyiddin Wani. The meeting also highlighted the inadequate funding of primary and secondary education, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Urgent attention was called for on non-formal education strategies to reduce the number of 26.2 million out-of-school children.
It is proposed to increase education expenditure to at least 4% of GDP. A balance should be created between development and daily expenses. The Education Secretary expressed his determination that the Ministry of Education will take vigorous steps to bring Pakistan’s education finance system in line with international standards.
