UNDER Article 25(A) of the Constitution, children aged 5-16 years should be provided free education. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2022-23, Pakistan’s literacy rate is just 62 per cent, which is one of the lowest in the region.

The state has utterly failed to provide education to all children as mandated in the Constitution. Although new school session has started long ago, textbooks are still not available in Sindh. It has been learnt that the Sindh Textbook Board (STBB) could not publish enough books to meet the demand.

A relevant official is said to have revealed that the shortage of textbooks was triggered due to the high cost of paper and other items used in the publishing process.

According to official estimates, there is 40pc shortage of textbooks, while actual shortage could be even more. As witnessed in schools across the province, only 10-15pc of the students could get free textbooks.

Pakistan is among the countries that spend least on education. Various international agencies have urged the government to boost spending on education for better human resource development. The relevant authorities should provide free textbooks to government schools across the province without any further delay on any ground.

Ali Naqi Rustamani
Wahi Pandhi

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2023