Education sector gets Rs77bn budget, but where will the money go?
The federal government has allocated Rs77bn for the education sector, including higher education, in the development budget for the next financial year. However, budget documents show that only a handful of new projects have been approved, with most funding directed towards schemes already underway.
According to budget details, Rs41.19bn has been allocated to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), while Rs36bn has been proposed for projects under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
Despite the sizeable allocation, the government has approved only five new projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). These include three projects of the HEC and two projects of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
Documents show that only Rs300 million has been allocated for HEC’s new projects. These include the establishment of a university in Upper Chitral and the provision of transport facilities for Nusrat Bhutto University in Sukkur.
The HEC will spend approximately Rs41bn on 135 ongoing projects, indicating that the majority of its development budget will be used to complete existing schemes rather than launch major new initiatives. Officials say the limited allocation for new projects reflects a cautious approach towards expanding higher education infrastructure in the upcoming fiscal year.
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has been allocated Rs1.2bn for two new projects. Of this amount, Rs600 million has been earmarked for digital learning initiatives, while another Rs600 million will be spent on the rollout of the Matriculation Tech project.
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The remaining Rs34.8bn allocated to the ministry will be used for 31 projects that are already underway across the country. Budget documents also include plans to establish Danish schools in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Sindh. A total of Rs4.60bn has been allocated for Danish school projects during the next financial year.
The government has also proposed Rs3.29bn for the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program and Rs3bn for the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund. In addition, Rs2.61bn has been allocated for various skill development initiatives aimed at improving employment opportunities and technical education.
Overall, the proposed education development budget shows a strong focus on completing ongoing projects rather than launching large-scale new initiatives. While higher education, digital learning, technical education, and skills training remain priorities, the limited number of new projects suggests that major expansion in the education sector may remain restricted during 2026-27.
