In a significant move, the government of Pakistan has announced a notable increase in the budget allocated for Education Affairs and Services in the upcoming fiscal year 2023-24. With an allocation of Rs. 97.098 billion, the education sector receives a boost of approximately 5.5% compared to the revised budget of Rs. 91.777 billion for the current fiscal year.
Public expenditure on education, as a percentage of GDP, is estimated to reach 1.7% in the fiscal year 2022-23, a slight increase from the previous year’s 1.4%. However, despite this growth, Pakistan’s spending on education remains the lowest in the region.
The bulk of the budget, amounting to Rs. 76.589 billion, has been earmarked for Tertiary Education Affairs and Services, representing a significant 79% of the total allocation under this category.
For pre-primary and primary education affairs, the government has allocated Rs. 4.468 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24, an increase from Rs. 3.786 billion in 2022-23. Similarly, Rs. 10.778 billion has been earmarked for Secondary Education Affairs and Services, compared to Rs. 8.863 billion in the previous year. The administration sector also receives a notable boost, with Rs. 3.698 billion allocated for 2023-24, up from the revised Rs. 2.010 billion in 2022-23, later revised to Rs. 2.430 billion.
Since the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the responsibility for education has been devolved to the provinces, while the federal government primarily focuses on financing higher education.
Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the Higher Education Commission (HEC) will receive a significant budget of Rs. 59.71 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24, compared to Rs. 44.718 billion in 2022-23, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing higher education.
With these budgetary allocations, Pakistan aims to promote and strengthen its education sector, ensuring access to quality education at all levels, particularly focusing on the expansion and development of tertiary education institutions in the country.
