Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

Current Educational Progress Ratio In

Pakistan & Percentage Of The Literate
Citizen In Pakistan
“Thosewho know cannot be like the ones who do not know.
Of course, knowledge and ignorance are like light
and darkness which can never be alike.”
Holy Quran

Education is the most important factor which plays a leading role in human
development. It promotes a productive and informed citizenry and creates
opportunities for the socially and economically underprivileged sections of society.
Numerous empirical studies conducted by social scientists have established a
strong correlation between education and national development.

In the present era of competition, survival has increasingly become daunting

challenge. Only those nations and individuals can successfully meet the
challenges who Studies have shown that such competence and skills are more
readily acquired if students get an opportunity to try out and develop their
abilities by becoming involved in practical work.

“There is no doubt that the future of our State will and must greatly
depend on the type of education we give to our children and the way in
which we bring them up as future citizens of Pakistan”
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad All Jinnah
All Pakistan Education Conference
November 30 December 02, 1947
Karachi
Education in Pakistan is divided into five levels: primary (grades one through five);
middle (grades six through eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the
Secondary School Certificate); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to
a Higher Secondary School Certificate); and university programs leading to
graduate and advanced degrees.

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 Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

All academic education institutions are the responsibility of the provincial

governments. The federal government mostly assists in curriculum development,
accreditation and some financing of research.

Islamabad has the highest literacy rate in the country at 72.38%, where as Musa
Khel has the lowest at a meager 10.37%

Pre-school
A child may begin his/her schooling at a pre-school at the age of 3. Over the last
few years, many new kindergarten (sometimes called montessori) schools have
also sprung up in Pakistan.

Post-secondary
Students can then proceed to a College or University for Bachelor of Arts (BA) or
Science (BSc) or Commerce/Business Administration (BCom/BBA) degree courses.

There are two types of Bachelor courses in Pakistan namely

• Pass
• Honours.

Pass
Pass constitutes two years of study and students normally read three optional
subjects (such as Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics, Statistics) in addition to
almost equal number of compulsory subjects (such as English, Pakistan Studies
and Islamic Studies)

Honours
Honours are three or four years and students normally specialize in a chosen field
of study such as Biochemistry (BSc Hons. Biochemistry).

It is important to note that Pass Bachelors is now slowly being phased out for
Honours throughout the country. Students may also after earning their HSSC may
study for professional Bachelor degree courses such as engineering (B Engg),
medicine (MBBS), vetrinary medicine(DVM) law (LLB), agriculture (B Agri),
architecture (B Arch), nursing (B Nurs) etc. which are of four or five years duration
depending on the degree.Further after passing the diploma of associate
engineer(3-Year study after SSC)can take in admission in B.Tech
engineering.B.Tech(Hon's) degree consists of four years.

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 Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

Some Masters Degrees also consist of 1.5 years. Then there are PhD Education as
well in selected areas. One has to choose specific field and the suitable university
doing research work in that field. PhD in Pakistan consists of minimum 3-5 years.

Pakistani universities churn out almost 1.2 million skilled graduates annually. The
government has announced a $1 billion spending plan over the next decade to
build 6 state-of-the-art science and engineering universities. The scheme would be
overseen by the Higher Education Commission.

Literacy Since 1947

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 Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

Literacy Rate - Pakistan

a) 1951 Census: One who can read a clear print in any language. 16.4%

b) 1961 Census: One who is able to read with understanding a simple letter in any
language. 16.3%

c) 1972 Census: One who is able to read and write in some language with
understanding. 21.7%

d) 1981 Census: One who can read newspaper and write a simple letter 26.2%

e) 1998 Census: One who can read a newspaper and write a simple letter, in any
language. 43.9%

The present (2004) projected adult literacy rate in Pakistan is 54% (male 66.25% :
female 41.75%)

Province Year Literacy

Rate

Punjab 1972 20.7%

Sindh 1972 30.2%

NWFP 1972 15.5%

Balochistan 1972 10.1%

Province Year Literacy Rate

Punjab 1981 27.4%

Sindh 1981 31.5%

NWFP 1981 16.7%

Balochistan 1981 10.3%

Province Year Literacy

Rate

Punjab 1998 46.56%

Sindh 1998 45.29%

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 Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

NWFP 1998 35.41%

Balochistan 1998 26.6%

Province Year Literacy

Rate

Punjab 2004 56.14%

Sindh 2004 51.48%

NWFP 2004 46.17%

Balochistan 2004 37.18%

The education system after 57 years of independence lacks cohesion and even
proper distribution. The education indicators in Pakistan have been persistently
poor:

• High illiteracy rate, especially of females

• The participation rate at primary level is around 73% and at secondary level
around24%
• Completion/survival rate to grade 5 is 72%.
• Poor quality of learning and instruction
• “Ghost” schools and high teacher absenteeism .
• Poor governance and administrative structures

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 Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

Historically education development has not been properly addressed in Pakistan.

The overall literacy rate of 53% (65% for males and 40% for females in 2004)
demands proper attention to address the problem of low literacy. Net primary
enrolment ratio was 46% in 1990-91 and is expected to reach 58% by 2005-06.

Criticism
An issue of National Geographic conveys the adversity poor families must face.
Some schools are run so badly that few kids attend.

“ It's not unusual in Pakistan to hear of public schools that receive no books, ”

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 Research Assignment on Literacy Ratio in Pakistan

no supplies, and no subsidies from the government. Thousands more are

'ghost schools' that exist only on paper, to line the pockets of phantom
teachers and administrators."

--National Geographic: Struggle for the Soul of Pakistan, Don Belt

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