Pakistan’s Education System: Policies, Aims, and Fields

Posted on Oct 5, 2025 in Early Childhood Education

Foundational Principles of Education in Pakistan

Message from the First Education Minister

At the first educational conference, the education minister gave top priority to the spiritual element in education. He said that if this element is ignored, it can have dangerous and devastating consequences. The tragedy of modern education, he argued, was evident in the two World Wars. These wars and scientific inventions have taught us that if the development of human morality and spirituality is ignored, then scientific development can be severely destructive to humankind.

Quaid-e-Azam’s Vision for Education

After freedom in 1947, a conference was arranged under the direction of Quaid-e-Azam to structure the education system of Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam could not attend this due to illness, but he forwarded his message:

“There is no doubt that the future of our State will greatly depend upon the type of education we give to our children, and the way in which we bring them up as future citizens of Pakistan. Our system of education should be in accordance with our history and culture. We should not forget that we have to compete with the world which is moving very fast in this direction.”

Core Aims of Pakistan’s Educational Policies

Goals from the First Educational Conference

  • Imparting Islamic ideology to the people of Pakistan.
  • Developing a democratic attitude in students.
  • Developing national integrity among the people of Pakistan.
  • Increasing the literacy rate in Pakistan.
  • Paying special attention to increasing the ratio of female education.

Aims of the National Educational Policy 1998

  • The curriculum should align with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.
  • Basic education should be free and compulsory for all.
  • The literacy rate should be increased by using both formal and non-formal education.
  • The curriculum should be revised periodically according to the needs of the modern age.
  • Vocational education should be promoted to reduce unemployment in Pakistan.
  • Computer education should be introduced at the primary level for more effective results.

Types of Education in Pakistan

General Education

Education that covers the common needs of an individual is called general education. After receiving this education, one does not become an expert or skilled in any specific field; it is education for the sake of knowledge itself. Everything taught in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, excluding specialized science and vocational training, is considered general education. Education from grades I-VIII, Matric, F.A, B.A, M.A, and religious education are included in general education.

Professional Education

Professional education holds an important place in our education system. It is the education that teaches skills directly related to a specific job or profession and enables students to earn a living. It can be started from the 9th grade and extends to higher levels, such as engineering, agricultural, and medical education.

Agricultural Education

  • Pakistan is primarily an agricultural country, as 70% of our population is involved in agriculture.
  • This sector has not been given due importance, as we are not producing the required number of agricultural graduates.
  • We are still using old methods of cultivation, which is why we are achieving a low per-acre yield.
  • Students generally get admission after completing F.Sc.
  • Zarai University, Faisalabad, and Barani University, Rawalpindi, are among the most popular institutions.

Medical Education

  • Medical education is very important for any human society and is a very attractive field for students.
  • Admission requires completing F.Sc (Pre-Medical) and qualifying for an entry test.
  • Four years are needed to obtain a medical degree.
  • Pakistan has set up many medical colleges and universities. Institutions such as Fatima Jinnah Medical College and King Edward Medical College are very popular.
  • Nursing schools also play a vital role in promoting medical education.

Legal Education

  • Legal education creates awareness among the public about their rights and regulations.
  • It helps to maintain discipline, peace, and the rule of law in the country.
  • A graduation degree (B.A) is required to get admission into legal education.
  • Three years are needed to obtain an L.L.B degree.
  • Quaid-e-Azam Law College and many other legal colleges are promoting legal education.
  • After completing this degree, students can become advocates, judges, and magistrates.

Business and Commerce Education

  • Business and Commerce education deals with banking, official matters, marketing, and advertisement.
  • Students with B.Com, M.Com, and MBA degrees work as accountants, managers, suppliers, and market representatives for various organizations.
  • Various qualifications are needed to get admission into Business and Commerce education.
  • The government and private sectors are cooperating to promote business and commerce education in Pakistan.

Home Economics Education

  • A woman, whether in a city or a village, often assumes full responsibilities at home.
  • Home Economics education enables women to better manage their homes and families.
  • This education builds awareness in areas like cooking, dress designing, childcare, and other home-related affairs.
  • Home Economics is an elective subject in Pakistani schools from the 6th grade onwards. Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan College of Home Economics and other colleges are doing their best to promote it.
  • Nowadays, it has become a science and a vast field of knowledge.

Computer and Information Technology (IT) Education

  • The world has become a global village. In this modern era, computer and IT education is very significant, with benefits beyond imagination.
  • Students with degrees like BCS, MCS, and IT engineering are hired with handsome salaries.
  • Eligibility for admission varies from course to course.
  • The government and private sectors are collaborating to promote IT education in Pakistan.
  • LUMS, FAST, and many other IT colleges and universities are promoting computer and IT education.

Teacher Training Education

  • Teacher training is considered a critical factor in improving student learning.
  • To develop capable teachers, the government has established quality teacher training institutions such as Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad; University of Education, Lahore; IER Punjab University, Lahore; and the Government College of Education, Lahore.
  • These colleges and universities offer different kinds of degree programs for teacher training, such as B.Ed, M.Ed, M.Phil in Education, and Ph.D. in Education.
  • Admission eligibility varies from course to course.

Religious Education (Madrasa System)

The Madrasa educational system operates alongside government and private systems, providing general education in Pakistan. It is considered a form of non-formal education. The teachings focus on the Quran, Sunnah, Fiqh, and logic, and promote the Arabic language. These madrassas are usually attached to mosques and provide free education from elementary to higher levels. According to current educational policy, the government is trying to introduce computer, science, and English courses along with religious education in these madrassas.