A recent study has highlighted an alarming trend of declining enrollments in engineering programs across Pakistan.
Data from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) shows a dramatic drop in participants, from 16,005 in 2017 to just 3,895 in 2024, marking a 76% decrease. The study, which compiled data from various educational boards, pointed to a continuous decline in students opting for pre-engineering programs. Experts believe this trend threatens the backbone of the country’s development.
The report, compiled by former vice chancellor Prof Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad and Umar Ahmad Noor, a research associate at the Earthquake Engineering Centre, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, warns that this trend could have serious implications for the future of the engineering sector in the country.
“Over the past decade, there has been a significant decline in the enrollment of students pursuing pre-engineering across the country. This decline has also affected enrollments in other disciplines, including physics, computer science, electronics, architecture, space sciences, and mathematics, all of which require pre-engineering as a foundational prerequisite,” the report stated.
Data from the Engineering Entrance Test (ETEA) at UET, Peshawar, showed that in 2018, 15,529 students applied, with 11,110 students in 2019. A major decline was noticed in 2020, with only 5,816 students appearing for the test. The numbers slightly improved in 2021 with 7,741 students but dropped again to 6,650 in 2022. In 2023, only 4,579 students were interested in studying engineering in KP. Surprisingly, only 3,895 candidates participated in the latest entrance test for 2024, significantly lower than in previous years.
In 2015, the Federal Board recorded 14,605 students in pre-engineering exams compared to 12,397 in pre-medical. By 2023, only 35% of students opted for pre-engineering, a sharp decline from 54% in 2015.
Over eight years, pre-engineering enrollments experienced a 19% decrease, while pre-medical enrollments saw a corresponding increase. This downward trajectory is consistent across various educational boards. The study, which analyzed enrollment figures and entry test participation rates, showcased a steady decline over the years.
The findings indicate a pressing need for stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Pakistan Engineering Council, to take immediate and effective measures to promote engineering education.