The expenditures on primary education increased by 14 percent between FY04 and FY05, while development expenditure percentage of total 'education expenditure' increased every year during the past four years.
During FY02, FY03, FY04 and FY05 the development education expenditure stood at 8.3 percent, 9.6 percent, 15.6 percent and 17.4 percent, respectively.
According to an official review of the education in the country, the federal government spent the largest proportion of education expenditure on its development (44 percent) in FY05, while the Sindh government spent the lowest proportion (2.6 percent) on it.
Official sources said the expenditures on primary education increased by 14 percent between FY04 and FY05. The increase in spending on secondary education was 21 percent in FY03 over FY02, 14 percent in FY04 over FY03, and 16 percent in FY05 over FY04. The expenditures on general university and college education declined by 4 percent in FY05/FY04, while expenditure on professional/technical universities increased by 170 percent during this period.
It is commendable to see an increase of 24 percent in expenditures on teacher and vocational training in FY05 over FY04, as it would be helpful in reducing youth unemployment, which is, at present, high in the country.
The expenditures on primary and secondary education increased in all provinces and the federal government except Balochistan between FY05 and FY04. Balochistan has the lowest gross enrolment rate at primary as well as middle level in 2004-05. To improve it at primary and secondary level in Balochistan, there is an urgent need to increase public spending on primary education in Balochistan.
The share of expenditure on primary schooling in total education expenditure in FY02, FY03, FY04 and FY05 was 33 percent, 42 percent, 44 percent and 42 percent respectively.
During 2001-02 to 2004-05 the smallest proportion of education expenditure has been spent on teachers and vocational training, which needs to be increased as vocational training imparts skills and hence generates employment.
To improve quality of education the Ministry of Education has formed Curriculum Council that is mandated to review the curriculum every five years. The Council will consist of private sector representatives.
Under the National Education Assessment System, a baseline for measurement of learning outcomes has been developed at the primary level where achievements in numeracy, literacy and life skills can be measured.
An examination board in the private sector has been established to improve the quality of examinations and set an example for public sector examination boards.
The federal government has formed a National Technical and Vocational Training Authority, which is governed by the Council of Ministers. It will be responsible for developing the plan for vocational and technical education in the country to respond to economic and social challenges being faced in Pakistan with inadequate or inappropriate skills entering the job market.
The National Education Foundation has launched the pilot education voucher scheme, which will provide different incentives such as vouchers to support direct costs of schooling (tuition fee and student fund) and will also pilot other incentives such as stipends/scholarships and support for costs such as stationery, bags and food.
It may be recalled that the Education Sector Reform (ESR) is integrated with millennium development goals (MDG), which targets to achieve universal primary education by 2015 and plays a fundamental role in promoting literacy.
The gross enrolment rate (GER) at the primary level has substantially improved between 2001-02 and 2004-05, indicating that the government investment in primary education is bearing fruit.
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