At the time of partition in 1947, there were ______ technical schools working.

At the time of partition in 1947, there were ______ technical schools working. (a) 30 (b) 35 (c) 40 (d) 45 ✅ Correct Option: (a) 30 Explanation (200+ words) At the time of Pakistan’s creation in 1947, the newly formed state inherited only 30 technical schools. This extremely small number reflected the underdeveloped status of technical and vocational education in the regions that became Pakistan. British India had established most technical institutions in industrialized regions such as Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras, while areas of West Pakistan remained largely agricultural and less industrialized. The 30 technical schools that existed were basic-level institutions offering elementary vocational skills such as carpentry, welding, metal work, drafting, textile skills, and simple mechanical training. Pakistan needed rapid industrialization, but the lack of trained manpower became a major challenge. This shortage led to major reforms in technical education during subsequent Five-Year Plans, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. The figure “30 technical schools” is important for PPSC exams because it highlights how limited Pakistan’s educational infrastructure was at independence and how much progress had to be made to create a skilled workforce. This number became the baseline for later institutions such as polytechnics, commercial institutes, TEVTA, and NAVTTC. 10 PPSC-Relevant Facts 1. Technical schools in 1947: 30. 2. Most were low-level vocational centers. 3. Severe shortage of skilled manpower in early Pakistan. 4. Industrialization was a national priority. 5. First Five-Year Plan emphasized technical training. 6. Polytechnics expanded during the 1960s. 7. TEVTA formed later in 1999. 8. NAVTTC created to regulate technical education. 9. Technical education essential for economic development. 10. This data appears frequently in PPSC exams.