The year 2021 was a defining moment for education technology in Pakistan. While the initial pivot to online learning in 2020 was driven by necessity due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, 2021 saw the emergence of more structured, scalable, and locally adapted edtech solutions. The sector evolved from being a stopgap measure into a vital component of Pakistan’s long-term educational reform.

The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on Education

Pakistan’s education system, already facing challenges like low enrollment rates, teacher shortages, and gender disparity, was severely tested by school closures during the pandemic. Over 40 million students were affected. This disruption laid bare the need for robust digital infrastructure in education.

According to UNICEF Pakistan, nearly 23% of students in rural areas had no access to digital learning tools during 2020. By 2021, the urgency to bridge this gap accelerated both public and private sector efforts in education technology.

Rise of Homegrown EdTech Startups

2021 was a breakout year for Pakistani edtech startups:

Taleemabad, a local app offering curriculum-aligned animated lessons in Urdu, saw user growth surge past 1 million. It partnered with provincial governments to integrate its content into public school systems.

Maqsad, launched in mid-2021 by former strategy consultants, focused on personalized learning for high school students using mobile-first video lectures and test prep.

Edkasa, a Lahore-based online tutoring platform, raised $320,000 in seed funding, highlighting investor interest in scalable edtech models.

These platforms emphasized accessibility, local language content, and affordability—key factors in serving Pakistan’s under-resourced students.

Public Sector Engagement

The government, too, took steps toward edtech integration. The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training launched Teleschool, a dedicated TV channel broadcasting daily lessons aligned with the national curriculum. In 2021, it expanded its reach to Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments also explored hybrid models, integrating digital tools in classrooms. The Taleem Ghar initiative in Punjab continued providing open-access video lectures and assessments.

Moreover, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) issued revised online learning standards for universities, promoting better quality control and pedagogy for digital courses.

Challenges to Scale

Despite promising developments, systemic challenges persisted:

Digital Divide: Only 38% of the population had internet access by the end of 2021. Girls and rural students remained particularly underserved.

Device Affordability: The cost of smartphones and laptops remained a barrier. Initiatives to subsidize student devices were sporadic and limited.

Teacher Readiness: Many teachers lacked the training to use digital tools effectively, undermining the full potential of tech-based learning.

A Sector Maturing

By the end of 2021, edtech in Pakistan had moved from experimental phase to a maturing industry. With increasing collaboration between startups, governments, and development organizations like UNICEF and the World Bank, the sector showed potential for long-term integration in Pakistan’s education ecosystem.

What’s Next?

The path forward required coordinated efforts in:

• Expanding rural connectivity
• Investing in digital literacy
• Building localized content
• Ensuring equity in access

With these, Pakistan’s edtech transformation could become a cornerstone in its pursuit of universal, quality education.

References:

UNICEF Pakistan – COVID-19 and education disruptions

https://www.unicef.org/pakistan

Taleemabad – Learning App for Pakistani Students

https://www.taleemabad.com

Edkasa – Seed funding announcement

https://edkasa.com

Ministry of Education – Teleschool Pakistan

https://www.mofept.gov.pk

HEC Pakistan – Online Learning Policy

https://www.hec.gov.pk