This study analyzes educational inequality in Pakistan compared to other South Asian countries using metrics like the Gini coefficient and key performance indicators. The findings show that [1] Pakistan has higher educational inequality levels than India, Bangladesh, and Nepal based on gender, region, and income, [2] literacy rates and public spending on education in Pakistan are lower than other South Asian nations, and [3] the student-teacher ratio in Pakistan is higher, indicating less access to education. The recommendations include rationalizing education budgets, reducing income inequality, promoting social equity to improve gender equality in access to education, and focusing on rural areas.

1. By,
Muhammad Ayub Siddiqui
&
Professor Zahid Mahmood
Bahria University
PAKISTAN
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2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
Introduction
Intellectual context of the present study
Factors leading to educational inequality in South Asia
(SA)
Problems related to educational inequality in Pakistan
Measures taken to overcome inequality in Pakistan.
Propositions of the present study
Methodology
Findings of the study
Recommendations
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3. INTRODUCTION
This study measures educational inequality amongst the Pakistani
youth for the last decade in comparison with other South Asian
Economies.
The study relates income inequality and poverty with educational
inequality, comparing the case of Pakistan with the rest of South
Asian countries.
Objective of the study is to explore the problems of access to
education in Pakistan in comparison with other countries of South
Asia.
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4. INTELLECTUAL CONTEXT OF
THE PRESENT STUDY
Budget Allocation to the Educational Sector is not based
on per-pupil requirement and the level of poverty.
Centralized and egalitarian school system helps in
reducing the cost of education for the poor families.
Access to education is increased due to reduction in the
income inequality (Checchi et al. 1999).
Higher education and re-distribution of country’s
resources have two-way causation (Moore, 1982).
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5. COMMON FACTORS LEADING TO
EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITY IN SA

6. PROBLEMS RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL
INEQUALITY IN PAKISTAN
Lack of Equity and Justice
Gender Discrimination
Reduction in the Budget Allocation
RS. 259.5 BILLION RS. 153.5 BILLION
2009-10 2010-11
War against terrorism in Afghanistan
Military operations in Swat & Waziristan
Floods in 2010
Floods in 2011
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7. PROBLEMS RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL
INEQUALITY IN PAKISTAN (cont.)
Infrastructural Problems in Primary Education
9.8 % schools are without building
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8. PROBLEMS RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL
INEQUALITY IN PAKISTAN (cont.)
Infrastructural Problems in Primary Education
9.8 % schools are without building
32.7% are without boundary walls
33.6 % are without drinking water
35.4 % are without restrooms
59% are without electricity
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9. MEASURES TAKEN
TO OVERCOME INEQUALITY IN
PAKISTAN
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP):
PRSP guidelines are being followed by the Govt. of Pakistan,
which aim at:
Consistent Economic growth of 5-7 percent to curb poverty.
Enhancement of employment.
Reduction of inequalities.
Other measures by the Govt.:
Benazir Income Support Program (Cash Grant)
Waseela-e-Haq (Interest free loan)
Pakistan Baitul Mal (Poverty alleviation Govt. Body)
Peoples Works Programme (Local Community Development Program)
Microfinance Schemes (Small Loans Scheme)
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10. MEASURES TAKEN
TO OVERCOME INEQUALITY IN
PAKISTAN
Measures by Bahria University:
Scholarships awarded worth Rs.17m / pa, benefiting 10%
of the BU-students
Need Based Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Afghan Nationals being enrolled at par with local students
in terms of fee structure.
Tuition fee waiver for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Special quota of 2% has been allocated for the students
with disability by relaxing admission criteria [based on
equity-principle].
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11. MEASURES TAKEN
TO OVERCOME INEQUALITY IN
PAKISTAN (cont.)
Measures taken by Bahria University:
Community Services
Floods in Pakistan in 2010:
Contribution of Rs.2.0 million for flood affectees.
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13. MEASURES TAKEN
TO OVERCOME INEQUALITY IN
PAKISTAN (cont.)
Measures by Bahria University: Community Services
Floods in Pakistan in 2011:
Contribution of Rs.2.0 million.
Clothing, food, shelter and Medical services provided in
several affected areas.
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14. PROPOSITIONS OF THE
PRESENT STUDY
There is gender disparity in terms of access to
education.
There is regional disparity in terms of access to
education.
Income inequality leads to the educational inequality.
Increased budget allocation to educational sector may
increase equity access to education.
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15. METHODOLOGY
To test the propositions of the present study, following
statistical techniques have been employed.
Gini-Coefficient
Universally accepted & widely used statistical technique to
measure inequalities.
The value ranges between 0 and 100, in terms of percent.
0 means maximum equality
100 means maximum inequality
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
Key Performance Indicators are the data reported in either
percent or ratio form by different accredited national &
international organizations.
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16. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
Sources of Data:
○ World Bank
○ UNESCO
○ Economic Survey of Pakistan
○ Higher Education Commission of Pakistan
Target Population:
○ Pakistan
○ India
○ Bangladesh
○ Nepal
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17. Findings Based on Gini-Coefficient
Average Years of Schooling
During 1999-2010 – Age 15+ (Gender-Wise)
80.11
Color Code
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
Nepal
Female Male Total
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18. Findings Based on Gini-Coefficient
Average Years of Schooling
During 1999-2010 – Age 15+ (Quantile)
Color Code
Pakistan
India
Banglades
h
Nepal
18

19. Findings Based on Gini-Coefficient
Average Years of Schooling
During 1999-2010 – Age 15+ (Region-Wise)
Color Code
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
Nepal
Rural Urban
19

20. Findings Based on KPI’s
Literacy Rate:
Youth of Age 15 & Above (Gender Wise)
Color Code
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
Nepal
Female Male Total
20

21. Findings Based on KPI’s
Literacy Rate:
Youth between Age 15-24 (Gender Wise)
Color Code
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
Nepal
Female Male Total
21

22. Findings Based on KPI’s
Public Spending on Education
(% of GDP)
4% 4%
3%
2%
22

23. Findings Based on KPI’s
Public Spending on Education
(% of Government Expenditure)
15% 15%
13%
10%
23

24. Findings Based on KPI’s
Expenditure on Higher Education
(RS. BILLION) - Pakistan
24

25. Findings Based on KPI’s
Student-Teacher Ratio:
46
40 42 Color Code
37 38
33 Pakistan
31 33
India
Bangladesh
Nepal
Primary Secondary
25

26. Findings Based on KPI’s
Ratio of Female to Male
Enrolment
105
104 Color Code
90 Pakistan
82 84
78 79 77 India
75 69
Bangladesh
51 Nepal
34
Primary Secondary Tertiary
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27. RECOMMENDATIONS
Budget allocation to the education should be rationalized
in all the countries of SA.
Educational inequality can be reduced through the
measures of income redistribution in these countries.
Social equity, justice and social development can lead to
reduced gender inequality in accessing education.
Rural areas of the countries should be paid special
attention in terms of access to education.
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