Majority of ten-year-olds in Pakistan unable to read simple text, government report finds

A recently released government report has highlighted significant challenges facing Pakistan's education sector, particularly in terms of learning outcomes and funding. 77 percent of ten-year-olds in the country are unable to read and understand a simple text.

The findings were published in a 171-page document titled “Public Financing in Education 2025-26,” issued by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), which operates under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The report was released in Islamabad on Thursday.

Sources indicate that the report points to persistent issues in both financing and ensuring access to education. It notes an alarming number of out-of-school children and underscores the urgent need to align financial priorities with improvements in teacher quality, learning materials, and assessment systems.

The report also observes a declining trend in education spending, which it says reflects a weakening position of education within the national fiscal framework. The document covers a range of topics, including low funding across the education sector, the role of provincial foundations, learning outcomes, and the underfunding of special education, among other areas.

Officials have emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to improve educational outcomes nationwide. The report calls for increased attention to resource allocation and the strengthening of systems that support both students and educators.