SAHE

Salam everyone! In this episode of SAHE’s podcast, I explore solutions to Pakistan’s ongoing education crisis. We hear from intellectuals, policy experts, and think tanks—all offering different solutions—yet the crisis remains unresolved. Today, around 2.5 crore children are still out of school, with girls making up the largest portion.

To dive deeper, we’re joined by Prof. Dr. Faisal Bari, a distinguished economist, columnist, and education expert. With 27+ years as a professor at LUMS and his role on the Prime Minister’s Education Task Force, his insights have influenced policy and public discourse. Let’s hear his take on fixing Pakistan’s education system.

In Pakistan, private schools absorb most funding and resources, leaving public schools in poor condition. In contrast, neighboring countries recognized the importance of education early and built strong systems to serve their people. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

Pakistan has the resources and means to provide quality education, especially for girls. Programs like BISP can support them, transportation can be facilitated, and other measures can be implemented. A study by SAHE emphasizes that the time for action is now—any further delay will mean losing future generations. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

Up to the 5th grade, schools primarily need dedicated teachers rather than specialized subject instructors or labs, making quality education more accessible for both public and private institutions. With over half of Pakistan’s population unable to afford quality education for their children, it’s up to the rest of society to step up and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

When private schools raised fees, a suo moto action quickly capped the increase at 5%. Meanwhile, public schools, struggling with numerous challenges, lack advocates to voice their concerns. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

Fertility rates, child health, marriage age, and the well-being and education of future generations are all deeply connected to girls’ education today. To build a stronger nation, we must invest in educating girls now. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

40% of children in Pakistan suffer from malnutrition, leading to severe issues like stunting. India operates the world’s largest nutrition program, Bangladesh has improved education through NGOs and non-profits, and Sri Lanka has strengthened its system through government schools. Pakistan has several examples to learn from—it just needs the willingness to act. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

China is the biggest example of poverty reduction in the last century, lifting its population out of poverty in just 30-40 years. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.

Sri Lanka made a significant decision in the 1960s to limit the establishment of new private schools, focusing instead on strengthening public education. Today, around 98% of children attend public schools, contributing to the country’s high literacy rate, which stands at nearly 100%. Stay tuned for the full podcast with Dr. Faisal Bari.