The impact of technology on education system of Pakistan:

Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge and tools to create, modify, or
improve systems, processes, or products to solve problems and meet human needs. It includes
various devices, software, and techniques that enable us to accomplish tasks more efficiently
and effectively.

In Pakistan, technology has had a significant impact on the education system. It has brought
about several changes and improvements, making learning more accessible and engaging for
students. Here are some ways technology has influenced education in Pakistan:

Technology Empowers Students in Pakistan:

Technology has expanded access to education in Pakistan, especially in remote and underserved
areas. For example, e-learning platforms allow students to learn at their own pace and on their
own time, regardless of their location. Additionally, educational apps and games can be used on
smartphones and tablets, which are more accessible than computers for many students in
Pakistan.

Technology Enhances Learning in Pakistan:

Technology has improved the system of education in Pakistan through multimedia resources, e-
learning platforms, and adaptive learning systems. Multimedia resources, such as videos,
images, and simulations, can make learning more engaging and effective. E-learning platforms
allow teachers to create and deliver personalized learning experiences for their students.
Adaptive learning systems can adjust the difficulty of the material based on the student's
individual needs.

Teaching and learning practices:

Technology has led to changes in instructional methods, such as blended learning, flipped
classrooms, and online assessments. Blended learning combines traditional face-to-face
instruction with online learning. Flipped classrooms involve students watching video lectures at
home and then completing activities and assignments in class. Online assessments can be used
to provide students with immediate feedback on their learning.

Students motivation:
Student engagement and motivation
Technology has enhanced student engagement and motivation through gamification, interactive
content, and virtual reality. Gamification involves incorporating game-like elements into learning
activities, such as points, badges, and leaderboards. Interactive content allows students to
interact with learning materials in a meaningful way. Virtual reality can be used to create
immersive learning experiences.

Skills development:
Technology has facilitated the acquisition of digital literacy and 21st-century skills. Digital
literacy skills are essential for success in the modern workforce. 21st-century skills, such as
critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, are also essential for success in the 21st
century. Technology can be used to teach and develop both digital literacy and 21st-century
skills

Technology Supports Educational Management and Governance in Pakistan:

Technology has impacted administrative tasks, data management, and monitoring systems. For
example, technology can be used to automate tasks such as student registration and grading.
Data management systems can be used to track student progress and identify areas where
students need additional support. Monitoring systems can be used to track teacher performance
and school improvement.

Example from Pakistan

The Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) is a non-profit organization that is working to improve the
quality of education in Pakistan. ITA has developed a number of e-learning resources, including
the ITA Learning Platform and the ITA Digital Library. These resources are available for free to
students and teachers across Pakistan.
ITA has also developed a number of programs to train teachers on how to use technology in the
classroom. For example, the ITA Teacher Training Program provides teachers with the skills and
knowledge they need to use e-learning platforms, multimedia resources, and other technologies
to improve student learning.
Over 10 million students in Pakistan have used the ITA Learning Platform. ITA's programs have
had a positive impact on the education of Pakistan. For example, a study by ITA found that
students who used the ITA Learning Platform performed significantly better on academic tests
than students who did not use the platform.

Overall, technology has had a positive impact on the education system in Pakistan.

2. Education: The Foundation of a Better Future for Pakistan:

Education is important in Pakistan because it is the key to improving the lives of individuals and
society as a whole.
According to a study by the World Bank, people with a secondary education in Pakistan earn on
average 50% more than those with no education. This is because education provides people with
the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace. For example, educated people
are more likely to be able to read and write, which is essential for many jobs. They are also more
likely to have computer skills, which are also in high demand.

Educated people are more likely to be aware of the importance of good health and hygiene. For
example, educated people are more likely to be vaccinated against diseases and to have access
to clean water and sanitation.

Educated people are more likely to be aware of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Some examples In Pakistan,

● A young woman in a rural village is able to get a job as a teacher because she has a
secondary education. This job allows her to earn a good income and to support her family.
● A man in an urban area is able to start his own business because he has computer skills
that he learned in school. His business is successful and he is able to employ other
people.
● A group of young people in a community start a campaign to raise awareness about the
importance of clean water and sanitation. They are able to do this because they are
educated and have access to information.

3.The present situation of Pakistan’s educational system:

The current state of the education system in Pakistan is a mixed bag. There have been significant
improvements in recent years, but there are still many challenges to be addressed.

•Literacy rate:
Pakistan's literacy rate has increased from 44% in 2000 to 63% in 2023. This is a significant
improvement, but it is still lower than the global average of 86%.

•Access to education:
Access to education has also improved in recent years. The government has built new schools
and provided scholarships to students from low-income families. However, there are still many
children who are not enrolled in school. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, an
estimated 22.8 million children aged 5-16 are out of school. This is a particular problem in rural
areas, where only 60% of children are enrolled in primary school.

•Quality of education:
The quality of education in Pakistan is a mixed bag. Some schools have excellent facilities and
teachers, while others lack basic resources. This can lead to significant disparities in student
achievement. According to the Assessment of Learning Outcomes (ALO) survey, only 40% of
students in grade 5 can read and understand a simple story.

Here are some additional facts about the education system in Pakistan:

•The government spends around 2% of its GDP on education. This is significantly lower than the
global average of 4.6%.

•There are over 260,000 schools in Pakistan, of which over 80% are private.

•The completion rate for secondary education is around 60%.

•The dropout rate in primary schools is around 40%.

•Access to education is better in urban areas than in rural areas

•The student-teacher ratio in primary schools is 40:1.

The government is aware of these challenges and is working to address them. For example, the
government has launched a number of initiatives to improve the quality of education, such as
providing training to teachers and developing a new national curriculum.

4. Technology Adoption Challenges in Pakistan’s education system:

•Infrastructure and Connectivity Limitations:

Many schools in Pakistan lack the necessary infrastructure to support the effective use of
technology. This includes things like computers, tablets, and internet access. In some cases,
schools may have the necessary hardware, but the internet connection is unreliable or too slow
to support streaming video or other online activities.

•Digital Divide and Access Disparities:

Even within schools that have the necessary infrastructure, there is often a digital divide between
students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Students from wealthier families may have
access to their own computers and tablets, while students from poorer families may not have any
access to technology outside of school. This can lead to disparities in student learning, as
students who have access to technology outside of school have more opportunities to practice
and learn new skills.
•Teacher Training and Professional Development:
Many teachers in Pakistan have not received adequate training on how to use technology in the
classroom. This can make it difficult for them to integrate technology into their teaching and to
support students in using technology for learning.

•Content Localization and Relevance:

Much of the educational technology content that is available is not localized for the Pakistani
context. This means that it may not be relevant to the curriculum or to the cultural experiences of
Pakistani students. This can make it difficult for students to engage with the content and to learn
from it.

5. Pakistan: Investing in Technology to Improve Education:

Despite these challenges,Here are some of the initiatives and projects undertaken by the
government, and educational institutions to promote technology in education in Pakistan:

-Government initiatives:
● The Digital Pakistan initiative is a flagship government initiative that aims to transform
Pakistan into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The initiative
includes a number of projects to promote technology in education, such as the e-Learning
Pakistan platform, the National Digital Literacy Program, and the Digital Skills for Youth
program.
● The e-Learning Pakistan platform is a free online learning platform that provides students
with access to a wide range of educational resources, including courses, lectures, and
exercises. The platform also offers a variety of interactive features, such as quizzes, polls,
and discussion forums.
● The National Digital Literacy Program aims to provide all Pakistanis with basic digital
literacy skills. The program offers training courses on topics such as how to use
computers and the internet, how to create and edit digital content, and how to stay safe
online.
● The Digital Skills for Youth program is a training program that provides young people with
the digital skills they need to succeed in the workforce. The program offers courses on
topics such as web development, graphic design, and digital marketing.

-Educational institution initiatives:

•UET Lahore has developed a mobile app called UET e-Learning.

•AKU has developed a mobile app called AKU StudySmart.
These apps and platforms provide students with access to their course materials, grades,
assignments, and other important information.
-Non-profit organisations initiatives:

● Digital Rights Foundation (DRF): DRF is a non-profit organization that is working to

promote digital rights and access to information in Pakistan. DRF has developed a number
of initiatives to promote technology in education, such as the Digital Literacy Program and
the Open Educational Resources (OER) Portal. The Digital Literacy Program provides free
training on digital skills to students, teachers, and other members of the public. The OER
Portal is a repository of open educational resources that can be used by teachers and
students for teaching and learning.
● Tech Valley Pakistan: Tech Valley Pakistan is a non-profit organization that is working to
promote technology education and innovation in Pakistan. Tech Valley Pakistan has
developed a number of programs to train students and teachers on technology skills, such
as coding, web development, and mobile app development. Tech Valley Pakistan also
organizes hackathons and other events to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the
technology sector.

6.Success story:

The Impact of Educational TV on Student Learning Outcomes in Pakistan

Organisation: Taleem Ghar

Program: Educational TV Programming

Goal:
To improve student learning outcomes in Pakistan by providing students with access to high-
quality educational TV programming.

Approach:
Taleem Ghar is a government-funded initiative that provides free educational TV programming to
students across Pakistan. The programming covers a wide range of subjects, including math,
science, English, and social studies. The program is designed to supplement classroom
instruction and to provide students with access to quality education, regardless of their location
or socioeconomic status.

Results:
A study by UNICEF found that Taleem Ghar had a positive impact on student learning outcomes.
The study found that students who watched Taleem Ghar performed significantly better on
academic tests than students who did not watch the programming. The study also found that
Taleem Ghar was particularly effective for students from low-income backgrounds and for
students in remote areas.
Conclusion:
This case study demonstrates the potential of technology to improve education in Pakistan. By
using technology in creative and innovative ways, we can help to ensure that all children in
Pakistan have the opportunity to succeed.

7. Technology for Better Education in Pakistan:

Here are some ways to maximise the positive impacts of technology on the education system of
pakistan.

•Make technology accessible to all students:

This means providing students with access to computers, tablets, or smartphones, as well as
internet access. It also means making sure that schools and classrooms have the necessary
infrastructure to support technology use.

•Train teachers on how to use technology effectively:

Teachers need to be trained on how to use technology to enhance their teaching and to support
student learning. This training should cover topics such as using educational software, creating
digital content, and integrating technology into lesson plans.

•Develop and use high-quality educational technology resources:

There are a variety of educational technology resources available, such as e-learning platforms,
interactive games, and simulations. It is important to select resources that are aligned with the
curriculum and that are effective in promoting student learning.

•Use technology to personalise learning:

Technology can be used to create personalized learning experiences for students. This can be
done by using adaptive learning software, providing students with feedback on their work, and
allowing students to choose their own learning paths.

•Use technology to promote collaboration and communication:

Technology can help students to collaborate and communicate with each other and with their
teachers. This can be done through online discussion forums, wikis, and video conferencing.

•Use technology to assess student learning:

Technology can be used to create formative and summative assessments that measure student
learning. This can help teachers to identify students who need additional support and to track
student progress over time.

•Monitor the use of technology and make adjustments as needed:

It is important to monitor the use of technology in schools to ensure that it is being used
effectively and safely. This may involve collecting data on student engagement, student learning
outcomes, and teacher satisfaction.

8.Conclusion:

In conclusion, technology has made significant strides in shaping the education system in
Pakistan. It has empowered students by providing access to education in remote areas,
enhanced learning through multimedia resources and adaptive platforms, and improved teaching
methods with blended learning and online assessments. Initiatives like the Digital Pakistan
program and educational TV programming have shown promising results in boosting student
learning outcomes.
However, challenges such as infrastructure limitations, the digital divide, and the need for
teacher training persist. To maximize the positive impact of technology, it's crucial to ensure
accessibility for all students, provide effective teacher training, develop high-quality educational
resources, personalize learning experiences, promote collaboration and communication, utilize
technology for assessments, and continuously monitor its usage to make necessary adjustments.
Despite the challenges, the ongoing efforts and innovations in integrating technology into the
education system provide hope for a brighter and more inclusive future for education in Pakistan.
Continued investment, strategic planning, and adaptability will be key in harnessing the full
potential of technology to create a better learning environment for all students in the country.