A look at Pakistan and the education systems in the WestThe education system in Pakistan is based on three levels: primary (grades 1–5), secondary (grades 6–12), and tertiary. It is based on British colonial roots and Islamic traditions.It encompasses public, private, and madrassa institutions, serving over 41 million students throughout more than 260,000 schools.On the other hand, Western systems (such as those in the US, UK, and Europe) usually require kids to go to school until they are 16 to 18 years old. These systems focus on standardised curricula, regular tests, and using technology in the classroom. Pakistan’s system frequently promotes rote memorisation and exam-based progression, whereas Western approaches focus on overall development, including extracurriculars and tailored learning.11 17 14There are big differences in funding:Pakistan devotes roughly 2-3% of GDP to education, far below Western averages of 4-6%, resulting in systemic disparities. 10Real-world uses of the knowledge soughtThe education system in Pakistan puts a lot of emphasis on theoretical knowledge and rote learning, which makes it hard to use what you’ve learnt in real life.Students memorise facts for tests but don’t have any real-world experience, which means they don’t know how to do things like solve problems, come up with new ideas, or work in a specific field.For example, most curricula don’t feature hands-on labs, internships, or projects that are related to careers, which makes graduates less ready for employment markets that are always changing.0 5 6This theoretical concentration comes from old syllabi and a lack of connection to what businesses need. Even STEM courses are taught in a way that isn’t practical, without tools like simulations or fieldwork.Experiential learning is a big part of Western systems, such as those in the US and UK, because they focus on real-world effects. From the beginning, curricula include critical thinking, project-based assignments, apprenticeships, and STEM integration. This helps students learn skills like working together and being flexible.For instance, in Germany, vocational courses combine classroom learning with on-the-job training, which directly connects education to career outcomes.12 4This leads to knowledge that is immediately useful in fields like entrepreneurship or tech innovation, which helps to bridge the gap between education and work. The Teacher’s AbilityTeachers in Pakistan are not able to do their jobs well because they don’t get enough training, they don’t get paid enough (typically less than $200 a month), and there are too many students for each teacher (up to 40:1 in secondary schools).Many teachers don’t know much about their subjects or how to teach them, so they stick to old-fashioned approaches like lecturing without any interactive elements.Pre-service programmes don’t have enough resources, and there aren’t many opportunities for continued professional development. This makes teachers less motivated and less effective in the classroom.21 21 26 19 28Rural communities are the worst hit since it’s hard to find qualified teachers to fill in the gaps.In Western countries, instructors undertake rigorous certification, generally requiring bachelor’s or master’s degrees in education, plus continual training.Salaries are greater (for example, in the US, they start at $50,000 a year), and the student-to-teacher ratios are lower (about 15:1), which makes it possible to provide each student individual attention. Focussing on evidence-based education, such as inquiry-based approaches, improves capacity, yet some systems have problems like burnout.25 24 In general, Western teachers are better at getting students to think critically and get involved in their learning.Institutional Gaps and Limited Resources There are big discrepancies in Pakistan’s schools, such as the difference between urban and rural areas, the difference between boys and girls (with fewer girls going to school in rural areas), and the fact that elite private schools do better than poorly financed public schools.There aren’t enough resources: many schools don’t have basic things like power, toilets, libraries, or computers. Only 2–3% of GDP goes to education.This makes classrooms too full and supplies out of date, which makes inequities worse.29 2930 32 38 Corruption and frequent changes in government make it hard to carry out policies consistently.31 Western institutions, while not the same, often have fewer gaps since they get more money (4–6% of GDP) and have fair policies.Resources include modern buildings, digital tools, and inclusive programmes for varied needs.There are gaps, like US public schools that don’t get enough money or differences across regions in Europe, but organisations like Ofsted in the UK make sure that everyone is held accountable.13 17Resource allocation puts fairness first, which helps close the gaps between institutions.Not Enough Motivation In Pakistan, students often don’t want to learn since they are taught by rote, the curriculum isn’t relevant, and they have to deal with other pressures like poverty or family commitments. Many people see school as a way to pass tests instead of a way to grow as a person because of large classes and little interaction between teachers and students.Research indicates diminished intrinsic motivation among Pakistani university students relative to their counterparts in structured settings.39 42 44 46Distance learning makes this worse since online students say they have much less motivation without peer support.Gamification, extracurricular activities, and career counselling are all motivational tools that help Western kids stay interested in school. Motivation declines in high-pressure systems (e.g., US standardised testing), but interactive approaches and autonomy often retain interest. Studies show that people in the West have higher self-efficacy because they live in supportive environments.43 47Unemployment After Completing Education In Pakistan, a lot of graduates are unemployed, with rates for educated youth reaching 10–15%. This is because their abilities don’t match the jobs available and the economy isn’t growing.Every year, more than 2 million people graduate and look for work, but companies prefer practical skills that aren’t taught in schools, which leads to underemployment.53 58The overall unemployment rate is about 5.5%, although the rate for young people is higher.49 52In the US and UK, for example, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates is only 3–5%. This is because education and work paths are matched, there are internships, and the economies are strong.In Europe, the average rate of youth unemployment is 10 to 15 per cent, but it goes down with more education.Practical training helps eliminate mismatches, although subjects like the humanities have problems.50 54 55
