Government School Teachers Have Higher Teacher Qualifications Than Private Sector Staff: Gallup

Teacher qualifications in Pakistan are generally higher among government school teachers than those working in private institutions, according to a nationwide analysis by Gallup Pakistan. The study examined teacher-level data from the ASER Pakistan 2025 report and highlighted clear differences in academic and professional credentials. As a result, the findings have renewed debate on teacher recruitment standards and educational quality across the country.
The analysis found that 52.4 percent of government school teachers hold a master’s degree or higher qualification. In comparison, only 39.1 percent of teachers in private schools possess the same level of education. These figures suggest that public sector institutions employ a larger share of highly educated teaching staff.

Government Teachers Lead in Academic Credentials

The report also compared professional teaching qualifications across both sectors. It found that 41.3 percent of government school teachers hold a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree. Meanwhile, the figure for private school teachers stands at 33.4 percent.
Similarly, 23.4 percent of public sector teachers possess a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. In contrast, only 15.3 percent of private school teachers hold this advanced professional qualification. Therefore, government schools appear to have a stronger presence of formally trained educators.
The study further showed that bachelor’s degree holders make up 27.7 percent of the government school workforce. On the other hand, private schools employ a slightly larger proportion of teachers with bachelor’s degrees, accounting for 30.6 percent of their staff.

Recruitment Systems Shape the Gap

Gallup Pakistan linked the difference in teacher qualifications to the recruitment practices used by both sectors. Government schools follow structured hiring systems that require specific academic and professional credentials. Consequently, applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements before securing teaching positions.
Private schools often adopt more flexible recruitment policies. As a result, they employ a higher proportion of teachers with intermediate and bachelor-level qualifications. Teachers holding intermediate certificates account for 18.9 percent of private school staff, compared to 9.6 percent in government institutions.
Gallup Pakistan said the findings highlight important disparities in teacher qualifications across the education sector. The report also emphasized the value of professional training and strong qualification standards. Education experts believe that qualified teachers play a key role in improving classroom learning and strengthening Pakistan’s overall education system.