When governments are forced to repay debt, school fees aren’t just about money — they become barriers to girls’ futures. Yet, Saira, 15, is fighting to stay in school, while prices for food, fuel and school fees keep rising.
When the IMF and World Bank convene their Annual Meetings in mid-October, the decisions they make will ripple far beyond boardrooms — shaping the futures of millions of girls. Saira’s story shows what’s at stake.
Since 1958, Pakistan has been one of the International Monetary Fund's most frequent borrowers. Each round of lending has hinged on “fiscal consolidation”, which means cutting subsidies, removing energy tariffs and expanding the sales tax to everyday goods.
For example, from 2019-2024, Pakistan’s bailout was conditioned on the government raising revenue by repealing tax exemptions on wheat, cooking oil, and sugar while raising petrol, gas and electricity prices. These measures arrive on top of global price spikes. Between 2018 and 2021, petrol rose 79%, wheat flour 39% and cooking oil 33%. Every price hike squeezes the household budgets required to supplement scarce government spending to keep girls in school.
Debt touches every part of a girl’s life — from education to food to healthcare. School fees aren’t just a financial burden or about money; they are another barrier that keeps girls out of school and unable to choose their own futures. But 15-year-old Saira refuses to back down. Despite rising costs, she is determined to keep studying and help her parents in the process.
Read her story below.
Private schools don’t wait. When the fees are due, they’re due — no matter how high they are, no matter how hard things have gotten at home. As the dreaded deadline crept closer, then stormed past, a thick cloud of fear settled over some of us — those whose parents needed just a little more time. Each morning became a walk of dread. We avoided eye contact with our teachers, their gazes heavy with quiet judgment or worse, pity. The shame was unbearable, like a weight pressing down on our backs. Our parents, equally burdened, would often stay away, unable to face the humiliation of being summoned by the headmistress. I never resented them. I knew they were fighting battles I couldn’t see, doing everything they could. And so, after the final bell, I’d slip away alone, walking home in silence, heart pounding, wondering if tomorrow would be different — or worse.
Home is supposed to be a place of warmth and safety, and yet rising costs followed us there. First, fuel prices would rise; my father, who rides a motorbike to work, would have to incur those costs or risk losing his job. Increased spending on fuel, coupled with higher household bills, meant less money for food. Then book prices rose, and inflation crept into my school, life too. Pressure piled up from every side.
“It isn’t like girls in society don’t work or contribute financially. But I am still young, and so neither I nor my parents ever mentioned the notion of me going to work.” — Saira
I still remember my younger siblings, unaware of the dark cloud hanging over us, asking for something fancier and pricier than the simple household fare. My parents, regardless of the problems we’d face later on, scrambled to fulfil these desires. I saw how the elders of the household bore the brunt of increased financial strain; they would sacrifice their daily meals if it meant their children were happy.
My parents took up odd jobs here and there, worked day and night to make ends meet. They tried to hide their growing stress and disappointment, but I was old enough to see it. Even in school, I kept thinking about how desperately I wanted to help, to contribute to the household. I thought that if I had an elder brother, or if I was one myself, then maybe some of my parents’ burden would be eased. The thought made me both hopeful and sad.
“Education and expense should not be linked; for girls like me, education is our primary path to security and independence.” — Saira
Rising fuel prices cause problems; I have seen how, in emergencies, people with no vehicle scramble to find a rickshaw in the dark of night. I have learned that if you do not have money, no one helps, especially the people you trust the most. I have seen my parents ask seemingly close relations for temporary financial help, only to be turned away. It hurts and frustrates me to see my parents in that situation. My father’s workplace sometimes advanced his pay, later repaid, providing momentary relief. For me, I put my faith in Allah, not people, for I have been disappointed by the latter enough times.
Taking my past experiences into account, if I could, I would urge the government to reduce the constantly rising prices. Education and expense should not be linked; for girls like me, education is our primary path to security and independence. If it keeps getting pricier, I fear we will be financially stunted for the rest of our lives.