A Whistle
EDUCATION PROFILE
Only 0.46% of GDP for research and development?
In 2010 in Pakistan, adult male literacy rate was 69%. The female rate was 40%. Comparable respective literacy rates of developing countries were 86% and 76%.
In 2010, public expenditure on education in Pakistan was equivalent to 2.4% of GDP. The average public expenditure in this head in developing countries was 3.9% of GDP.
R & D expenditure during 2007-09 in Pakistan was equivalent to an average of 0.46% of GDP compared to 1.07% of the developing countries.
(Human Development in South Asia 2013)
Mahmood Mirza
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There is a considerable difference between literacy and functional literacy. The literacy rates cited merely indicate that the people are able to read at a rudimentary level while in most rural and even many urban settings, their functionality is limited to rote memorization of religious texts. States that devalue primary and secondary education are bound to pay a heavy price in future development. Sadly, Pakistan policy is built on bitter illusions. Ignore the fundamentals like education and law and order and the country will founder.