A META-ANALYSIS OF EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES IN PAKISTAN: INSIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SDG-4

In this paper, the researcher applies a meta-analysis of the main issues facing the education system in Pakistan related to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) Quality Education highlighted by UNESCO and the World Bank. Although several initiatives have been made by the government in Pakistan, the education sector still experiences some problems, including poor levels of enrollment, gender disparity, out-dated syllabus, mismanagement of institutions as well as poor teacher training. All this facilitates inadequate learning performance, which increases the discrepancy in meeting the SDG 4 targets. The secondary source of the meta-analysis involves government reports, policy analysis, and statistical evidence of UNESCO, World Bank, and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The paper establishes that 22.8 of the total population of children has been out of schools with high gender and geographical inequalities. Also, the literacy and numeracy levels are on the decrease with 30-40 percent of teachers having no formal training, and the academic levels of 40 percent of students being below the minimum standards. Moreover, the education allocate budget of Pakistan does not exceed 3% of the GDP which is still way less than the prescribed UNESCO guideline of 4-6%, therefore, lacks adequate infrastructure, lack of e-learning resources, and teacher training plans. Results indicate that the structural obstacles may consist of unfair investments in education, bad governance, and the digital divide that slow down educational development. The research suggests that in order to focus on filling the education gaps, the funding available to education should go up at least to 5 per cent of GDP, educator training efforts should be enhanced, curriculum reform, and the option of digital learning should also be increased. The debate should be focused on the reinforcements of policy implementation, monitoring mechanisms, and innovative educational policies in achieving equitable and inclusive quality education in Pakistan. Through the reduction of these systemic impediments, Pakistan will be on the right path to aligning its education system to the SDG 4 goals enabling sustainable growth and a level playing field in accessing education to all its human resources.