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Pakistani Families Outspend State on Education, Deepening Inequality Crisis

A new report reveals Pakistani households are now spending more on education than the government, accounting for 56% of total national education expenditure. Families spent an estimated PKR 2.8 trillion, primarily on private school fees, tutoring, and materials, while public allocation was PKR 2.23 trillion. Experts warn this trend creates severe equity issues, risking the exclusion of poorer children from education as access becomes tied to family wealth. The surge in private spending is linked to declining quality and accountability in government schools, with calls for systemic reform beyond just budget increases.

Key Points: Pakistan Household Education Spending Exceeds Government

  • Households spend PKR 2.8T vs state's PKR 2.23T
  • 56% of education costs borne by families
  • Private school fees are largest household expense
  • Report warns of dangerous shift to wealth-based access
2 min read

Pakistani families forced to fund education as state falls behind

Report reveals Pakistani families spend 56% of nation's education costs, raising urgent equity concerns as public system fails.

"When households are forced to outspend the state, poorer families are at risk of being pushed out of the education system altogether. - Salman Humayun"

Islamabad, January 21

Pakistani households are spending more on education than the government itself, exposing deep structural failures in public education financing and raising urgent questions about inequality and state responsibility.

According to a new report launched at a national policy dialogue, families spent an estimated PKR 2.8 trillion on education, overtaking the government's allocation of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 2.23 trillion.

The findings were presented during the release of the 15th annual Public Financing of Education report by the Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS), as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, the data reveals that Pakistan's total education expenditure now stands at PKR 5.03 trillion, with households shouldering 56 per cent of the burden while the public sector contributes just 44 per cent. Analysts warn that this reversal signals a dangerous shift, where access to education increasingly depends on a family's financial capacity rather than state provision.

This is the first time a nationwide assessment has combined official education budgets with household-level spending, offering a fuller picture of how education is actually financed in Pakistan. The report shows that families spent PKR 1.31 trillion on private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tuition and coaching centres, and PKR 878 billion on other education-related expenses such as books, uniforms, and transport.

I-SAPS Executive Director Salman Humayun cautioned that the scale of private spending highlights serious equity concerns. He argued that when households are forced to outspend the state, poorer families are at risk of being pushed out of the education system altogether. Speakers at the dialogue linked the surge in private spending to persistent weaknesses in public schooling.

Officials and development partners noted that families are increasingly turning to private institutions due to declining quality, accountability, and responsiveness in government schools, as cited by The Express Tribune.

Experts also stated that merely increasing budgets would not be enough. Greater efficiency, outcome-based financing, and stronger governance mechanisms were identified as essential to restoring confidence in the public system.

Federal officials acknowledged recent improvements in education data collection but emphasised the need for independent research to guide policy in an era of fiscal constraints, as reported by The Express Tribune.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
While the scale is alarming, this isn't unique to Pakistan. In many Indian cities, middle-class families are also spending huge amounts on private schools and coaching centres because they've lost faith in government schools. The report's point about efficiency over just budget increases is key. Throwing money at a broken system doesn't fix it.
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Rohit P
PKR 2.8 trillion from households! That's a staggering number. It shows how desperate parents are to give their kids a future. When the state fails, families have to step in, but this just widens the gap between rich and poor. A strong public education system is the backbone of any nation. 🇮🇳
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Ananya R
The part about PKR 613 billion on tuition and coaching centres hits home. It's the same story here. The pressure to perform is so high that even good school isn't enough. This creates a whole parallel, expensive shadow education system. When will governments realise that fixing the core school system reduces this burden on families?
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Karthik V
A respectful criticism: While we point fingers, we should look at our own backyard. Many government schools in rural India lack basic infrastructure and teachers. Yes, our situation might be better, but the principle is the same—governance and accountability are missing. Let's hope both nations can prioritise their children's future.
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Michael C
Interesting data. This "first nationwide assessment" is crucial. You can't manage what you don't measure. Hopefully, this clear picture forces a policy rethink. The focus on outcome-based financing mentioned at the end is the modern approach needed. It's not about how much you spend, but what results you

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