The number of secondary school teachers till 1998 was

The number of secondary school teachers till 1998 was (a) 160500 (b) 160600 (c) 160700 (d) 160800 ✅ Correct Option: (a) 160500 Explanation (200+ words) The total number of secondary school teachers in Pakistan till 1998 was approximately 160,500. This number includes teachers working in government and some registered private institutions. Teacher availability is a core indicator of educational quality, and in the 1990s, Pakistan faced an acute shortage of qualified teachers, especially in science and mathematics. Most teachers in rural secondary schools lacked proper training, and professional development opportunities were limited. Female teacher representation was low, causing gender disparities in girls’ secondary education. Due to growing population and increased school enrollment, the teacher-student ratio became highly imbalanced, often exceeding recommended standards. The 1998 numbers served as a baseline for later reforms, including recruitment through Public Service Commissions and training schemes like CPD (Continuous Professional Development). Understanding figures from 1998 is essential because these statistics were used to frame development programs in the 2000s, including Education Sector Reforms and the National Plan of Action. 10 PPSC-Relevant Facts 1. Number of teachers till 1998: 160,500. 2. Shortage of trained science teachers. 3. Gender imbalance among teachers. 4. Low professional development opportunities. 5. Teacher-student ratio often beyond 1:40. 6. Many rural teachers lacked qualifications. 7. 1998 population census influenced recruitment priorities. 8. Teacher training institutions were insufficient. 9. Contract-based hiring increased after 1998.