By 2017, education technology (EdTech) in Pakistan was undergoing a slow but meaningful transformation. While traditional education continued to dominate the system, a wave of tech-enabled learning platforms was beginning to reshape access, quality, and scale. The country's youthful demographic — over 60% of the population under age 30 — and widespread mobile usage created a compelling case for EdTech expansion.

One of the most prominent EdTech platforms at the time was 'Taleemabad', which combined animated learning content with localized curriculum materials aligned with Pakistan’s national syllabi. Run by Orenda, a social enterprise incubated at The Nest I/O, Taleemabad reached students in low-income and underserved areas through mobile phones. Similarly, 'Sabaq.pk' offered free online educational content, focusing on science and mathematics for secondary-level students. These platforms demonstrated the potential of mobile-first education in a country where traditional schooling infrastructure remained weak.

At the policy level, the Punjab IT Board (PITB) was active in integrating technology into public school systems. Their 'eLearn Punjab' initiative digitized textbooks and provided interactive content, aiming to bridge the learning gap in government schools. Meanwhile, private sector startups were experimenting with hybrid learning models. 'Knowledge Platform', an education company based in Islamabad, launched blended learning programs in schools that combined in-class instruction with online assessments.

Despite the promising initiatives, challenges loomed large. The biggest barriers were digital divide, teacher training, and the lack of a coherent EdTech policy framework. While urban schools and private institutions were increasingly open to using tablets and learning management systems (LMS), rural schools continued to suffer from electricity shortages and unreliable internet. Furthermore, many teachers lacked basic IT literacy, limiting the integration of technology into daily pedagogy.

Funding for EdTech ventures remained sparse. Unlike fintech or mobility startups, EdTech platforms struggled to attract venture capital due to long product development cycles and unclear monetization models. However, international donors and NGOs, such as Ilm Ideas and DFID, provided project-based funding to support experimentation and scale-up of select pilots.

The outlook in 2017 was cautiously optimistic. The ecosystem lacked depth but showed signs of growth. Awareness of the need for education reform had increased among policymakers, and private sector innovators were filling gaps where the public sector lagged. For Pakistan to leverage EdTech fully, it would require greater investment in digital infrastructure, inclusive access, and consistent curriculum alignment.

References:

[1] Taleemabad by Orenda, 2017. https://www.taleemabad.com

[2] eLearn Punjab, Punjab IT Board. https://elearn.punjab.gov.pk

[3] Knowledge Platform, Blended Learning in Pakistan. https://www.knowledgeplatform.com