The Classroom Experience in Pakistan
The Challenges of the Classroom: A Critical Look at the Education System in Pakistan
Naveed Tareen
4/1/20252 min read


The Classroom Experience in Pakistan
In Pakistan, schools represent more than just crumbling buildings—they embody the unrealized potential of millions of children. With dilapidated walls, deteriorating ceilings, and dust-covered textbooks, the urgent need for reform is undeniable. For countless children, these classrooms are not merely spaces but pivotal avenues toward a brighter future.
World leaders committed to investing 4% of their GDP in education years ago. Yet in Pakistan, this promise has slipped through the cracks. Instead, funds fueling educational progress have been funnelled into military might and infrastructure projects. Politicians may draft ambitious plans, but their commitments often dissolve like chalk dust on a classroom floor.
The educational crisis facing Pakistan is widespread and urgent. In Punjab, teachers plead for basic supplies like pens and paper. In Balochistan, students struggle to hear their teachers' voices above the howling winds in makeshift tents. Inequality defines the system: urban private schools enjoy modern facilities, while rural schools have broken benches and unpaid staff.
Behind the statistics are individual stories of struggle and resilience. In Karachi, a father sacrifices his last cow to afford his son’s private tutoring. In Sindh, a boy sifts through garbage for clean paper, a resource his school fails to provide. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, girls lose their childhoods to premature marriages, while desperate parents turn to unregistered madrassas, where rote memorization replaces critical thinking.
Yet, even in the face of these challenges, hope is not lost. Envision schools with sturdy walls, where girls can laugh freely and boys can exchange ideas without fear. Educators continue to aspire to inspire students who will ultimately challenge and transform their world.
“Our children deserve more than empty promises,” asserts Amina Khan, determined to revive her village school. “They deserve a future.”
The clock is ticking. Each collapsing classroom reflects a nation in distress. Sacrificing education today breeds anger and resentment tomorrow. Cutting Funding now robs the future of doctors, engineers, and leaders yet to emerge.
Pakistan’s education system stands at a decisive juncture. Will we allow our classrooms to disintegrate or seize the opportunity to forge a new narrative? Can every child grab a pen and rewrite their destiny? Our future rests on the choices we make today.
A Call to Action
The bad education system in Pakistan is a complex problem that requires urgent attention and action from all stakeholders involved. By addressing structural issues, considering socio-economic factors, and implementing comprehensive reforms, the prospect of improving the educational experience in Pakistan can become a reality. Only then can we hope to cultivate a generation of informed and empowered individuals who can contribute to the nation's future development.