Islamabad: A new report from the Planning Commission reveals significant disparities in education performance across Pakistan, with Islamabad leading the nation in the first-ever District Education Performance Index (DEPIx) covering 2020-2023. The report classifies districts into four performance categories and shows wide gaps between provinces, with Punjab leading followed by KP, while Sindh and Balochistan lag behind.

According to Press Information Department, the groundbreaking DEPIx measures district-level education outcomes focusing on access, learning, equity, governance, and infrastructure. The index covered all districts across Islamabad Capital Territory, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. While no province reached the “High” or “Very High” performance categories, Islamabad stands out as the best-performing district nationally. The overall national average score stands at 53 out of 100, categorized as “Low.”

The detailed findings indicate that Punjab and KP performed moderately in infrastructure and inclusion but were weak in public financing and governance. Sindh and Balochistan showed considerable weaknesses across nearly all domains, particularly in governance and access to education. The disparities not only highlight inter-provincial differences but also significant intra-provincial variations.

The report also emphasizes the need for focused public spending in education and improving governance to enhance learning outcomes across the country. These insights are expected to guide policy interventions aimed at bridging the educational divides and enhancing overall educational standards in Pakistan.