Education in Pakistan

Education in Pakistan is divided over five levels-

1. Primary Level (Grades 1 to 5);
2. Middle (Grades 6 to 8);
3. High (Grades 9 and 10 culminating in matriculation);
4. Intermediate (Grades 11 and 12, leading to F.S. Science or F.A. Arts); And
5. University Programs (Leading to Undergraduate and Advanced Degrees).  

The federal ministry of education is responsible for academic and technical education, which coordinates instruction through the Intermediate level. Above that level a provincial University is responsible for delivery of programs and conduct of examinations etc. In few cases a different ministry administers the specialized programs.  Universities enjoy limited autonomy; University Grants Commission oversees their finances. 

When Pakistan separated from India in 1947 after at the eve of Independence from Britain there was only one institute for higher education, i.e. the University of Punjab. In next 20 years many private and public schools and institutes for higher education opened up in Pakistan. In the early 1970s, all of Pakistan’s educational institutions were nationalized. For the next decade Pakistan’s education system was state aided.

As the demand for higher education raised many Pakistanis especially elite class migrated to other nations like UK, US, Australia, Russia etc for obtaining higher education degrees. In 1979 a review committee reviewed the education system in Pakistan and education policies were changed under the recommendations of the committee. By the mid-1980s, private educational institutions were allowed to operate on the condition that they comply with government-recognized standards. Further, more number of schools and institutes for higher education has opened up in Pakistan.