The education system of Pakistan is decentralized and faces several challenges. Literacy rates are low at 57% overall with rural rates lower than urban. Education expenditures are only 2.3% of GDP. The system provides for pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary education. However, it is plagued by low quality, lack of resources, gender discrimination and disparities across socioeconomic classes. Recent policies aim to address these issues and provide all citizens equal access to education.