Schools in Pakistan

Gross enrolment overall: 45.3% (2012)

Primary female–male ratio: 0.87:1 (2012)

Secondary female–male ratio: 0.74:1 (2012)

Primary pupil–teacher ratio: 41.4:1 (2012)

Secondary pupil-teacher ratio: 21.1:1 (2012)

There are five years of primary education starting at the age of five, and seven years of secondary comprising cycles of three and four years. Some 52 per cent of pupils complete primary school (2010). The school year starts in April.

There are many independent or private schools in Pakistan, particularly in the major cities such as Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. Well known elite schools include Aitchison College, Kinnaird College and Sadiq Public School. Private schools in Pakistan are not necessarily all catering to upper-income society with many catering to all income brackets. Some of the elite schools provide scholarships and other programmes for middle and lower income groups. Many established schools offer English qualifications such as O and A-Levels. There is only one school that offers the International Baccalaureate, which is the International School, Karachi (2011).