Education System in Pakistan
(Engr. Allama Muhammad Shoaib Ikram, Karachi)
What is Education?
“Education is the delivery of knowledge, skills and information from teachers to students”
Education is very important for every human being. Allah asks the question to human being:
“Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? (Al-Zumr 09)”
It means they are not equal. A person who has the knowledge is better than that person who hasn’t knowledge.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has also emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge in different ways:
(a) Time: "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."
(b) Place: "Seek knowledge even if it is far as China."
(c) Gender: "Seeking of knowledge is a duty of every Muslim"
(d) Source: "Wisdom is the lost property of the believer, he should take it even if finds it in the mouth of a mushrik."
According to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
“Education is a matter of life and death for Pakistan. The world is progressing so rapidly that without requisite advance in education, not only shall we lag behind others but may be wiped out altogether.”
CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN
“The State shall remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education within minimum possible period”
SALIENT FEATURES OF NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY
Ø Universal and Free Primary and Secondary Education
Ø Promotion of Equity
Ø Sector Planning
Ø Encourage Private sector
Ø Improve Planning, Management and Implementation Capacity
Ø Introduction of Early Childhood Education (3-5 years)
Ø All Primary schools shall be upgraded to Middle level
Ø Well-developed plan for expanding school facilities
Ø Improved school environment
Ø Develop national literacy curriculum
Ø Enhance qualifications for employment as teachers
Ø Improved Examination System
Ø Pre-service and in-service teacher training
Ø Accreditation and certification of teachers
Ø Merit based teacher recruitment, professional development, promotions and postings
Ø Competitive publishing of textbooks and learning materials
Ø District Education Boards to be established for managing schools
Ø Separate management and academic cadres
REASONS OF ILLITERACY
Ø Allocation of funds for education
Ø Poverty
Ø Inequality between private and government sector
Ø Regional disparity
Ø Untrained teachers
Ø Corruption
Ø Quality of text books
HOW TO IMPROVE OUR SYSTEM?
Ø Change the system:
Government have to take specific steps to end cramming system in education from Government as well as Private sector and implement system of practical work, so that every student can gain more knowledge by doing research on that specific topic or subject, unlike “Ratta” (cramming) system where student have to memorize everything for short period of time which Teacher gives him/her.
Ø Equality and Quality in Syllabus:
We are facing many problems in our Educational system due to different courses in different boards and Provinces. At first Government should implement same course and syllabus in all provinces and Boards to make sure that everyone gets same education.
Secondly Government should order Private as well as Government schools and colleges to implement one syllabus in classes and there should be no double standards like implementing Oxford’s books in private sectors and Implementing Text Board’s books in Government sectors.
Ø Financial Improvement:
There must be a financial improvement in our country for improvement of our education system.
Ø Subject expert:
Only subject teachers will teach their subject.
Ø Schools in Rural areas:
Availability and accessibility of schools particularly in rural areas.