A new analysis by Gallup Pakistan has highlighted a worrying learning crisis in Pakistan, revealing that only 52.3% of Class 5 students can read a Class 2-level story in Urdu, Sindhi, or Pashto.
The findings suggest that many children are progressing through school without acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills expected for their age and grade level.
Reading and Math Skills Remain Weak
According to the survey, by Class 5:
📖 52.3% of students can read a Class 2-level story in Urdu, Sindhi, or Pashto.
📘 56.3% can read simple English sentences.
➗ 49.6% can solve a two-digit division problem.
The figures indicate that nearly half of Pakistan’s fifth-grade students struggle with foundational reading and mathematics skills despite spending several years in school.
Learning Levels Are More Concerning in Early Grades
The situation is even more alarming among younger students.
By Class 3:
📖 Only 12.4% can read a story in Urdu, Sindhi, or Pashto.
📘 Just 13.8% can read English sentences.
➗ Only 9.1% can solve division problems.
These findings suggest that foundational learning gaps emerge early and continue throughout a child’s educational journey.
Private School Students Perform Better
The analysis found that students enrolled in private schools generally perform better than those studying in government schools.
However, the report noted that learning outcomes remain unsatisfactory in both systems.
The differences based on:
- Gender
- Rural and urban location
were relatively small compared with the much wider gap associated with school type and overall learning quality.
Years in School Do Not Guarantee Learning
One of the report’s most significant findings is that spending more years in school does not automatically translate into acquiring basic skills.
The data suggest that many students are:
- Advancing through grades without mastering foundational concepts
- Struggling with reading comprehension
- Falling behind in basic numeracy
- Entering higher grades with significant learning deficits
Why This Matters
Foundational literacy and numeracy are essential building blocks for future learning. Weak reading and mathematics skills at the primary level can have long-term consequences for:
🎓 Academic achievement
💼 Employability and workforce readiness
💻 Digital literacy and skills development
📈 Economic productivity and social mobility
The findings are likely to intensify concerns about learning quality in Pakistan’s education system and highlight the need for reforms focused not only on school enrolment but also on ensuring that children actually learn essential skills while in school.
