Educational counselling is available in Pakistan, but its quality and accessibility vary depending on the institution, location, and level of education....
EDUCATION
Educational counselling is available in Pakistan, but its quality and accessibility vary depending on the institution, location, and level of education. Private schools and select universities offer structured counselling services, while public institutions often lack dedicated support.
1. Academic counselling
Private schools and some public institutions provide guidance on subject selection, workload management, and university options. However, most government schools lack formal academic counselling, leaving students dependent on teachers or family.
2. Career and university admissions counselling
Elite private schools, such as Beaconhouse, The Lyceum, Bay View Academy, The Mama Parsi, etc. offer career counselling to help students explore universities and scholarships. Independent firms like Advizers and HR Consultants also provide paid university admissions guidance, particularly for those applying abroad. Public institutions rarely offer structured career counselling.
3. Psychological and personal counselling
Mental health counselling is still underdeveloped in Pakistan. Some progressive institutions, such as LUMS, IBA Karachi, and Habib University, offer psychological support, but stigma often discourages students from seeking help. Most schools and public universities lack dedicated mental health professionals.
Challenges in counselling services
One of the major challenges in counselling services across educational institutions in Pakistan is the lack of qualified counsellors. Many schools and colleges rely on teachers or administrators to provide informal guidance rather than hiring trained professionals. This limits the quality and effectiveness of counselling.
Another significant issue is limited awareness among students and parents. Families often prioritize conventional career paths, such as medicine, engineering, or business, and may not see the value in career or psychological counselling. As a result, students lack exposure to diverse career options and may struggle to make informed decisions.
Resource constraints further hinder the development of counselling services, particularly in public institutions. With limited budgets, these institutions focus primarily on academic needs, leaving counselling services underfunded or nonexistent. Even when available, they may lack dedicated spaces or trained professionals to provide proper guidance.
Additionally, stigma around mental health discourages many students from seeking psychological counselling. In Pakistani society, discussing personal struggles, stress, or mental health concerns is often viewed negatively, leading students to suffer in silence rather than seek help.
Growing demand for counselling
Despite these challenges, there is a growing demand for counselling services in Pakistan. The increasing competition for university admissions has led more students to seek expert guidance to improve their chances of getting into prestigious local and international universities.
At the same time, alternative career paths such as entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and the creative arts are becoming more popular. Many students now seek counselling to explore diverse opportunities beyond the traditional career routes their families expect.
Another driving factor is mental health advocacy, as awareness about student stress, anxiety, and depression is rising. With more discussions on student well-being, there is a push for educational institutions to incorporate psychological counselling services.
Counselling at the university level
Some universities in Pakistan have established structured counselling services to support students in their academic and personal development. LUMS provides career guidance and psychological counselling through its student affairs office. IBA Karachi offers career placement services along with mental health support. NUST has student advisors who assist with academic and career planning, while Habib University prioritizes student well-being with dedicated counselling services.
However, despite these efforts, most public universities lack comprehensive counselling services beyond occasional career fairs and workshops. There remains a need for more structured, professional counselling programs to support students in making informed academic, career, and personal decisions.
While educational counselling in Pakistan is expanding, it remains largely confined to elite institutions. Public schools and universities need structured support, particularly in career and psychological counselling. As awareness grows, investing in qualified counsellors will be essential for helping students make informed academic and career decisions.
