7.1.6. Education

According to the Population & Housing Census 2023, Islamabad had a literacy rate of 84 % among individuals aged 10 and above. It was higher for males (88.2 %) than for females (79.1 %).2035 As shown in the ICT Child Labour Survey 2023-2024, the total school attendance rate of children was 89.7 % as stated by parents and 73.1 % as stated by children. Free education for children between 5 and 16 is guaranteed by the Pakistani constitution.2036

There existed 579 primary schools, 474 middle schools, 364 high schools, 201 higher secondary schools and 29 colleges. Public schools mostly serve children living in rural and semi-rural areas from low-income households, offering free education, which is characterised by poor quality and learning materials. About one third of school children in Islamabad, mostly belonging to upper-middle class urban households, attended private schools. Religious schools (Deeni Madrassas), as a third stream of schooling, offered free religious education, free boarding and lodging.2037 According to UNHCR, 47 % of school children in Islamabad and Karachi attended government or public schools and 39 % attended private religious or faith-based schools. The remaining 14 % attended private non-religious schools or schools termed as ‘other’.2038 Information by Solidar Suisse suggests that in Islamabad’s slums, school facilities and adequately trained teachers are lacking.2039 The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MOFEPT) lists three special education institutions from nursery to matric in Islamabad, serving children with physical, visual and hearing disabilities.2040

The independent Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) lists 27 recognised universities in the ICT.2041