In 2024, Pakistan’s EdTech sector reached a critical phase of institutionalization. What started as a crisis-driven response to COVID-19 had evolved into a structured movement to embed technology into mainstream education, both in the public and private sectors.

This year, government-backed initiatives, VC-funded startups, and development partners aligned to scale hybrid learning models — marking a shift from experimentation to system-wide reform.

From Stopgap to Strategy

Following the post-COVID disruptions, Pakistan had struggled to recover from one of the longest school closures in South Asia, according to UNESCO. In response, 2024 saw provincial governments formalize digital learning pathways:

Punjab’s School Education Department scaled its Taleem Ghar platform to 7 million students, integrating live classes and LMS tools.

Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adopted blended curricula in over 300 government schools using tablet-based learning pilots.

This transition was enabled by international partners such as the World Bank, DFID, and Education Above All Foundation, who supported infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum digitization.

Private EdTech Startups Gain Traction

Venture funding in EdTech showed modest recovery in 2024, with a focus on founder-led platforms targeting affordability and scale. Key players included:

Maqsad, which expanded its test prep offerings across Sindh and Balochistan, launched AI tutors and grew to 1.5M monthly users.

EdKasa, known for gamified learning, partnered with 50+ low-cost private schools to co-develop bilingual STEM modules.

Dot & Line, after a pivot to micro-franchised tutoring, introduced teacher-led video libraries for middle school math and science.

These startups leaned heavily on AI and adaptive learning models, offering real-time feedback, diagnostics, and personalized learning paths for students in underserved areas.

Public-Private Partnerships and Policy Support

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training introduced the National Digital Education Framework (NDEF), aiming to:

Standardize digital content across provinces

Establish quality control and data standards

Enable interoperability of EdTech platforms with school MIS systems

Meanwhile, Pakistan EdTech Alliance (PEA), a consortium of startups and civil society actors, worked with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to pilot online credentialing systems and faculty upskilling programs.

Infrastructure and Inclusion Gaps Remain

Despite the momentum, infrastructure challenges persisted:

Only 54% of government schools had reliable internet access as of Q2 2024

Rural gender disparities in digital access widened post-COVID

Teachers reported fatigue and lack of incentives to integrate tech into pedagogy

NGOs like The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and Teach the Future launched digital literacy programs focused on female students and first-time users of EdTech platforms.

Emerging Trends in 2024

AI Tutors and Content Recommendations: Platforms integrated AI-driven learning journeys, including voice-based tutoring in Urdu and regional languages.

Microcredentials and Lifelong Learning: EdTech was increasingly linked to workforce development, with short courses in coding, soft skills, and business analytics gaining traction.

Localization of Content: More startups began to prioritize culturally contextualized curricula, with visual storytelling and gamified assessments in native languages.

Conclusion

2024 marked a maturation point for EdTech in Pakistan. While challenges remain in infrastructure, digital equity, and teacher readiness, the shift toward systemic, data-driven, and learner-centric approaches signals a long-term commitment to digital education.

EdTech is no longer a temporary fix — it is fast becoming the backbone of Pakistan’s future education system.

References:

World Bank Education Sector Support Program Reports (2024)

Ministry of Education – National Digital Education Framework Draft (2024)

Maqsad & EdKasa Press Releases and VC Funding News (TechCrunch, 2024)

UNESCO COVID-19 Learning Loss Analysis, Pakistan (2024)

Punjab Taleem Ghar Dashboard & Expansion Report (Q2 2024)

Pakistan EdTech Alliance – Policy Position Papers (2024)