Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan’s education system is facing a serious crisis, with alarmingly high failure rates exposing deep-rooted issues in the region’s administration. Civil society representative Faheem Akhtar has raised concerns over the repeated failures of the education department, stating, “This is not the first time that the education department’s failures have been exposed.
Previously, during the intermediate exams, a large number of students were unable to pass. Similarly, this year, around 60 to 70 per cent of students in fifth and eighth grade have failed.” One of the key issues affecting education in Gilgit-Baltistan is the frequent transfer of experienced teachers into administrative roles. “As soon as someone gains even a little teaching ability, they shift into administrative roles,” Akhtar said. “Most of the competent teachers have moved into positions such as directors and other administrative posts, which has disrupted the education system.” These roles come with additional benefits but take qualified teachers away from
classrooms, leaving students without proper instruction.
Budget allocation for education in the region remains inadequate. “Compared to other provinces, the allocation for education in GilgitBaltistan is the lowest,” Akhtar pointed out. He added that while a significant portion of the non-development budget–over 10 billion rupees–is spent on salaries for education department employees, there is little accountability regarding how resources are used.
Meanwhile, students in many areas are forced to study outdoors in extreme weather conditions due to the lack of proper school infrastructure.The examination system in the region has also failed to ensure quality education. “If only 28 per cent of students pass, that means the entire department has failed,” Akhtar stated. “If an individual student scoring below 40 per cent is considered a failure, then when the overall pass rate is below 28 per cent, the department itself should be held accountable.”