There is no doubt that
education plays an important role in development of nations. If we go through
the history of developed nations, it is noticed that they reached the zenith of
prestige and development only by taking support from education. They converted
into developed nations only by strengthening their educational system.
But situation in Pakistan is quite diverse. Situation of Educational sector in
Pakistan is really miserable. In Human development Report, Pakistan is placed at
136th position because its 49.9% population comes under the definition of
education. We may be undoubted about the bitter reality that people living in
6th largest country of the world have no access even to the basic education. The
dropout rate is terrifyingly high at the primary level therefore; it is exposed
by the Data Center of UNESCO that 33.8% female and 47.18% in males could pass
through the most initial level of education.
After creation of Pakistan till now in 66 years 23 policies are made but we
could not make this paper work real. The Constitution of Islamic Republic of
Pakistan has led to the fact in the following words, “The state of
Pakistan shall remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary
education within minimum possible period.”
But only 2% of budget is allocated for education, and unfortunately even this 2%
is not spent on Education because of corruption. According to the Quacquarelli
Symonds (QS), United Kingdom (2013) report none of Pakistani University is in
top 100 Universities of the World even Asia. “According to QS report
Quaid-e-Azam University ranked 119 among top 250 Asian Universities. NUST
Islamabad gain 120, LUMS 191 and Punjab University 201”.
Basic reason of this dropout and illiteracy is different medium of instruction.
This creates inequality among people. Medium of instruction at higher level of
education is different from primary level. In Governmental schools education is
in Urdu, while medium of instruction for FSc, ICS, I.com, BSc, BCS, B.com and
university level degrees is English.
“A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for
others”
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
A teacher plays an important role in shaping and polishing the personality of
individuals. A teacher is called nation builder. But teachers in Pakistan are
not trained, people who did not get job in any other sector they try their luck
in educational sector. They are not professional in teaching and even don’t know
how to teach properly as a result they are unable to train a nation. As Bob
Talbert says:-
“Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more.
Poverty is also a big hurdle in education. According to UNICEF, 17.6 per cent of
Pakistani children are working and supporting their families. Only 56 % of
Pakistani children between the age of five and nine attend school. Poverty
creates gender discrimination; parents prefer to send their son to school
instead of daughter if they have resources to educate one of their children.
Cost of education is very high which compel parents to think about they should
sent their children to government school, private school or should not sent to
school.
Technological advancement is needed in every field of life. But there are only a
few schools that are teaching student about technology and computer, and have
computer lab or science laboratory. Most of the students do not know about
technology and wise use of computer. While for the development of country
education of technology is compulsory.
For development of education we should gain technology, and trained teachers to
pass on the specialized knowledge that grown-ups will need to get job in the job
market. They teach students about our moral and spiritual values and norms, to
make them a responsible and patriotic civilian. For example civics teaches those
rules and regulations of political life and rituals such as saluting the flag,
meaning and understanding of national anthem. Computer study should be essential
at primary level. The students must have good knowledge of how to use computer
and how it is helpful in their studies Enrolment rate should be increase, and at
least secondary education should be made compulsory for every one without any
discrimination of age, gender and class. Schools and colleges should not only
emphasis on curriculum reading and to pass the exams, but there should be
tracking (assigning students to different types of educational programs) to
enrich their analytical capabilities and become rational. Medium of instruction
should be same at primary and higher level whether it would be English or Urdu.
All the above desired results can only be achieved by devoting full attention to
the education. And allocating at least 9% of budget and the allocated budget for
education is utilized with zeal and zest, without any corruption. If Pakistan
government did not manage such budget, the educational situation in Pakistan
will adversely affect the growth and development of nation.