Pakistan still has around 20 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 who are not in school. That number comes from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25, released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in January 2026. It is the most current official figure available.
The government spends just 0.8% of GDP on education — a record low, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25. UNESCO recommends 4–6%. The gap between what the state provides and what families need has never been wider. That gap is where private schools operate. And it is growing.
If you have been thinking about opening a school in Pakistan — whether as an investment, a community service, or both — this guide explains exactly what is involved.
Two Ways to Do It
There are only two paths to opening a school in Pakistan.
Start from scratch
You build everything yourself: brand, curriculum, admissions process, teacher training, administrative systems, parent trust. Most independent schools take 3–5 years to reach financial stability. Many do not get there at all.
Join a franchise
You invest in a proven model — brand, curriculum, systems, and support already built. You still run the school. You still need a property, staff, and genuine commitment. But you are not starting from zero.
The Right School and College (TRSC) has operated since 2011. It now runs 104 campuses across Pakistan and international branches in Libya. Every year TRSC has learned what makes a school succeed — and what makes it fail. That knowledge comes with a TRSC franchise.
Why a School Beats Most Other Investments
Three reasons schools are uniquely resilient in Pakistan’s economic environment:
Demand does not fall during inflation
When household budgets tighten, education spending is the last to be cut — not the first. Private school enrolment in Pakistan has grown consistently even through the inflation cycle of 2022–2025.
Pakistan’s private school market is growing
According to the Pakistan Education Statistics Report 2022–23 (PIE), total educational institutions grew by 12% in a single year — from 313,445 to 349,909. Private schools now account for approximately 34% of all primary enrolment, per World Bank data. Families across income levels are choosing private over government wherever they can afford it.
The enrolment funnel creates permanent demand
Pakistan’s total school enrolment stands at 58.3 million (Pakistan Education Statistics 2023–24). Of every 100 children who start primary school, only about 23 reach matriculation level, according to UNICEF Punjab Education Fact Sheets. Every dropout cohort represents a new generation of parents who want something better for their own children — and are willing to pay for it.