Government report highlights decline in education spending and literacy challenges

A recently released government report has revealed a significant decline in education spending over the past six years, raising concerns about the state of learning outcomes in the country. The report, titled “Public Financing in Education 2025-26”, was published by the Pakistan Institute of Education, which operates under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

According to the findings, 77 percent of ten-year-old children are unable to read and understand a simple text. The report underscores that this figure points to a critical challenge in both access to education and the quality of learning being provided. The study also highlights the persistent issue of a high number of out-of-school children nationwide.

The report calls for urgent action to align financial priorities with key areas such as teacher quality, learning materials, and robust assessment systems. It notes that the downward trend in education funding reflects a weakening of education’s position within the national fiscal framework. The authors emphasize that reversing this trend is essential to address the learning crisis and improve educational outcomes.

In its recommendations, the report stresses the need for stronger investment in teacher training and the provision of adequate learning resources. It also advocates for the development of more effective systems to assess student progress and ensure accountability within the education sector.

Officials involved in the report’s preparation have highlighted the urgency of these reforms, stating that without increased and better-targeted funding, the country will continue to face significant challenges in achieving universal literacy and quality education for all children.

The report’s release has prompted renewed debate among education stakeholders about the allocation of public resources and the prioritization of education in national policy planning. As the country moves towards the 2025-26 fiscal year, the findings are expected to inform discussions on future budget allocations and reform strategies.