ADB recommends Pakistan adopt India's ULLAS Scheme to revamp education system

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has advised Pakistan to adopt India's "Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society" (ULLAS) scheme to address its struggling education sector, according to a report by The Express Tribune. The recommendation comes as Pakistan seeks financial support from the ADB to overhaul its education system and bring millions of out-of-school children back into formal education.

Launched by the Government of India in July 2023, the ULLAS scheme aims to provide foundational literacy and numeracy skills to non-literate adults and those who missed out on formal education. It also covers essential life skills such as financial and digital literacy, health care, child care, and family welfare. The ADB believes Pakistan could benefit from adopting a similar multi-stakeholder approach, incorporating best practices from the Indian model to ensure greater access to quality education.

The lender emphasised the need for federal and provincial collaboration in Pakistan, pointing out that India's ULLAS scheme offers valuable insights into both the successes and challenges of implementing a nationwide education program. Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the ULLAS scheme as a five-year initiative aimed at "Education for All" across India.

Pakistan’s education system has been facing numerous challenges, with a recent Planning Commission report revealing that 134 districts, excluding Islamabad, are lagging behind in learning outcomes and public financing. The District Education Performance Index Report 2023 underscored a growing human resource crisis in the country, as many individuals are entering the job market with minimal or no education.