In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 marked a pivotal year for education technology (EdTech) in Pakistan. What began as a reactive shift to online learning in 2020 evolved into more structured, long-term digital learning solutions by 2022. This transformation was led by a mix of startups, public-private partnerships, and grassroots innovation, marking a new era for education access and innovation in Pakistan.

From Emergency Response to Long-Term Strategy

The pandemic had forced schools and universities to embrace digital tools almost overnight. By 2022, however, there was a growing shift from Zoom classrooms and WhatsApp homework to more sophisticated learning management systems (LMS), mobile-first apps, and video learning platforms tailored for Pakistani students.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) took steps to support universities in integrating digital learning infrastructure. It pushed for improved internet access, launched digital libraries, and provided guidance on LMS implementation. Meanwhile, schools—especially in urban centres—began adopting hybrid models of education.

EdTech Startups Gain Traction

A number of EdTech ventures saw significant traction in 2022, both in terms of user growth and funding:

Taleemabad: Continued to grow its animated curriculum app aligned with the national curriculum. It also secured partnerships with provincial education departments for public school deployments.

Maqsad: A mobile app offering personalized learning for high school students, Maqsad raised $2.1 million in seed funding in 2022. It focused on affordable, localized video content and adaptive assessments.

Out-Class: Targeted higher education students with live and recorded courses focused on exam preparation.

Edkasa: Gained popularity through YouTube and TikTok before launching a dedicated platform, helping thousands of matric and intermediate students.

Together, these startups began shaping the narrative that education in Pakistan didn’t need to be confined to classrooms or textbooks.

Digital Divide Still Loomed Large

Despite impressive strides, the urban-rural divide in digital education access remained stark. According to a 2022 report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), only about 45% of households in rural areas had internet access, compared to over 80% in urban areas.

Affordability of smartphones, language barriers in digital content, and low levels of digital literacy continued to limit EdTech’s reach to the most underserved communities. Girls in rural areas were particularly disadvantaged, reflecting broader systemic issues in education and technology access.

Government Involvement and Challenges

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training took some proactive steps. It launched initiatives like:

• Teleschool: A state-run TV channel offering K–12 content, still operational in 2022.
• Ba-Ikhtiyar Naujawan Internship Portal: A platform connecting youth with internships and skilling opportunities.

However, budget constraints, coordination issues between provinces and federal institutions, and frequent policy changes slowed down the momentum of public EdTech initiatives.

Private Schools and Hybrid Models

Elite private school systems such as The City School, Roots, and Beaconhouse were early adopters of hybrid learning platforms like Google Classroom and MS Teams, which remained part of their ecosystem in 2022. They also began integrating AI-based assessment tools and gamified learning platforms, highlighting a growing tech divide even within the formal school sector.

The Road Ahead

By the end of 2022, there was consensus among educators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers that EdTech would play a permanent role in Pakistan’s education sector. Key focus areas for sustainability included:

• Localized content development
• Teacher training on digital tools
• Policy frameworks to ensure EdTech quality and equity
• Scaling infrastructure in low-income communities

With Pakistan’s median age under 23 and over 22 million out-of-school children, the promise of EdTech was not just in innovation—but in bridging deep-rooted access and equity gaps.

References:

PTA Annual Report 2022 – https://www.pta.gov.pk

Taleemabad – https://www.taleemabad.com

TechCrunch – Pakistan's Maqsad raises $2.1 million for localized learning

Edkasa – https://www.edkasa.com

World Bank – Learning Poverty in Pakistan

Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training – https://www.mofept.gov.pk