A Paradigm Shift

United Nations (1995: 77) report mentioned that “Literacy in Latin America was at 75 percent across the region, with more girls then boys in school at the secondary and tertiary levels. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only minimal progress has been made, with literacy rate among the lowest in the world, only 43 percent for women and 67 percent for adult men. In North Africa and Western Asia, increased enrolment of girls has raised female literacy to 44 percent. In Southern Asia, two thirds of the women are illiterate, with primary and secondary enrolment of girls below that of all other regions.”

In Pakistan, allocations for education in general and for enhancement of literacy in particular, have, always been very low with, 2.3 % of GNP being the highest figure in 9th Plan (1998-2003). The allocations for education in terms of percentage of GNP have been continuously declining for the last many years (e.g. 2.34 in 1997-98, 2.2 % in 1998-99 and 2.14 % for 1999-2000). The first three Development Plans (1955-1970) did not contain any allocations for literacy. Allocations for literacy started with the non-plan period (1970-78) in which Rs. 2.3 million were allocated for literacy but actually only Rs. 5.00 million were spent. Rs. 12.5 million and Rs.8.5 millions were respectively spent during the 7th and 8th plans periods for the first time.

The ninth Five Year Plan (1998-2003) has the provision of an additional 0.35 % increase in the allocation for education every year, so that by the end of the plan period (2002-2003) it will reach the level of 4 % of GNP, which is the minimum requirement as per UNESCO recommendations. The 9th Plan also targets to increase the literacy rate to 60% by the year 2003, and 75 % by the year 2010 by increasing the allocations for education. The National Education Policy (1998-2010) also aims at achieving a 55% literacy rate by 2003, by spending a total of Rs. 559,290.00 million on the education sector and 5000.00 million specifically on literacy by 2003. Though the allocations for literacy are meagre yet if 4 % of GNP as planned in the policy is actually spent we can hope for a more positive picture. However, if sources allow, more allocations (at-least 1 % of GNP) should be made especially (e.g. at least 1% of GNP) for adult literacy and basic education programs in Pakistan.

Besides, based on 1998 census, the population of Pakistan both in urban and rural areas is consist of 51% female and 49% male with the overall rate of female literacy rate is just 32.59% that means the more than half of the human capital is of no use; further it influence education, health, civic participation, raring children, HIV and other epidemic diseases thus it requires potential students and researchers to work in these areas as it leads to equal partnership and prosperity of the country.