Which of the following is the most primary cause of increase in the number of illiterate individuals:

Which of the following is the most primary cause of increase in the number of illiterate individuals: (a) Drop-out (b) General attitude of the people towards education (c) Speedy growth in population (d) Lack of schools ✅ Correct Option: (c) Speedy growth in population Explanation: The speedy growth in population is considered the most primary cause of increasing illiteracy, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. When population growth outpaces the expansion of educational facilities, the result is an overburdened education system unable to accommodate all children of school-going age. Rapid population growth leads to shortages of schools, teachers, classrooms, and educational resources. Even when schools exist, overcrowding reduces educational quality and increases dropout rates. Governments struggle to allocate sufficient budgets for education due to rising demands in health, housing, and employment. Although dropouts and negative attitudes toward education contribute to illiteracy, they are often secondary effects of population pressure. A growing population also increases poverty, which forces children into labor instead of schooling. Therefore, the root cause behind rising illiteracy is speedy population growth, making option (c) correct. 10 PPSC-Relevant Facts: 1. Pakistan has high population growth 2. Education resources are limited 3. Overcrowded schools 4. Teacher shortage 5. Increased dropout rates 6. Poverty linked to population growth 7. Budget constraints 8. Literacy rate affected 9. Development slows 10. Common PPSC MCQ