Pakistan Launches Midterm Education Review: Calls for Reforms and Investment

Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with UNESCO, unveiled the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) Midterm Review (MTR) Report at Allama Iqbal Open University. The report assesses the country’s progress and challenges in providing inclusive and equitable education by 2030. Key figures, including Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, emphasized the need for increased investment and improved governance in the education sector during the event.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the SDG-4 MTR Report offers specific recommendations to enhance the performance of Pakistan’s education sector. Minister Iqbal highlighted the importance of a data-driven approach to address regional disparities and accelerate progress. He underscored the economic significance of a well-educated workforce and stressed the urgency of raising the national literacy rate to 90%.

Minister Iqbal pointed out critical issues, such as the 25 million children out of school and the current curriculum’s lack of focus on cognitive development. He noted that Pakistan’s higher education enrollment rate lags behind neighboring countries and called for efforts to bridge this gap.

The Minister acknowledged the reduction of the education budget to 1.5% of GDP since 2019 but emphasized ongoing efforts to increase funding. He highlighted the “URAAN Pakistan” initiative, which prioritizes education improvements by 2047, and stressed the need for policy continuity for sustainable development.

Addressing health challenges, Iqbal called for urgent action on diseases like hepatitis, diabetes, and polio. He promised 100% primary school enrollment within five years and announced plans for curriculum updates, teacher training, and examination improvements.

Mr. Kar Hung Antony Tam from UNESCO reiterated the importance of aligning Pakistan’s education policies with global standards and emphasized collaborative efforts to achieve SDG-4. The event marked a step toward meaningful transformation in Pakistan’s education sector.

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