Education is a process of
educating or being educated, which establishes the pillar of society. It brings
up an empty mind with discourse tongue of awareness. Since the birth of newly
independent state Pakistan, education lagged behind due to deliberate negligence
of state politician in particular and bureaucracy in general. In the dilemma of
dictatorship and fragile civil government, education has been neglected because
elite group from ruling class whether in military or so called civil
representative, did not seriously boost the level of education through sound
education policies. Instead, political uncertainty, favoritism culture, thirst
of power perpetuated the level of education in dregs of glass.
Pakistan inherited the system of education from British but after that no
significant changes has been brought in education system of Pakistan.
Consequently, the literacy rate has become less than the regional countries
which got independence abreast of Pakistan. According to the Education Report
2009, it shows overall figures on education, literacy rate rose to 67 per cent
in 2009-10 than it was 57 per cent at the period of 1998-99. Out of literacy
rate, male literacy stood 68 per cent and female 58 per cent in 2009-10. Female
literacy rate was 57 per cent in 2008-09. Therefore, a slight one per cent
increase was recorded during the period of 2009-10.
At present, three different types of education systems i.e. Secondary school
education system, Cambridge education system and Madrasah education are being
taught to different classes of society. Elite class is more than willing to
avail Cambridge education while on the hand the middle class and lower middle
are left with the choice of secondary school education, and conservative
religious ones make their children to Madrasah. Furthermore, Secondary school
education system is different in both public and private sectors, which creates
a sort of disparity among people. The students coming from these three entirely
different streams of educational systems show a lack of harmony for the progress
of country. These people from different school of thoughts proved fatal for
social and national development. The solution to the problem is a single
unanimously accepted education system all across the country, the system which
gives no way to provincial discrepancy and regional differences. It will
definitely assist the nation to have a better and strong approach to national
and international issues always keeping in mind national consensus.
There are certain inadequacies and flaws in the system which needs amendments.
Funds allocated for education are very low and are only 1.5-2% of GDP where as
in comparison to developed nations it should be around 7-8% of total GDP. It is
a neglected fact that Pakistan is more often named among the most prominent
states affected by gender discrimination. There is a growing need to promote
technical education. Quality teaching needs a special attention; untrained
teachers are doing more harm than good.
Standard of education in Pakistan is not up to the mark as we compare it with
the modern world, but getting better with time. Students are like herd of sheep,
they don’t know what to do and where to go. The system ensures that the
victimized students don’t often learn the things but they cram to pass the exams
.In a nutshell, system is murdering innovation and creativity, even after degree
students don’t know where to implement their knowledge. In recent past
considerable work has been done to uplift the standard of education in Pakistan.
Not enough but a reasonable budget is invested in education sector to provide
schools ,colleges and universities with land ,buildings ,scientific and computer
laboratories, libraries and well established transport system. Efforts were made
by the government to introduce teacher technical training programs to enhance
teaching and communication skills. To develop a confidence and thirst for
education, different rewarding schemes were initiated as laptop scheme, solar
lamps, scholarships and educational tours by different governments. Another step
towards progress and standardization of quality education is the implementation
of online examination system.
When foreign scholarships for Pakistani students are discussed, a very few
schemes come to mind at undergraduate level, but at postgraduate and doctorate
level scholarships are somewhat acquirable. Government is playing a vital role
by providing financial aid at gross root level including PEEF, Benevolent fund
and HEC need based scholarships. Different private and semi-government
organizations are also providing scholarships to competent and talented
students. Private universities facilitate toppers to take their education free
of cost which is otherwise quite expensive.
As far as the scope of studies are concerned, Pakistani industry with its
downfall has proved to be a nightmare for graduates. Unemployment is making
faces at degree holders. Govt. sector didn't expand the job opportunities
accordingly. In recent past professional degree holders have suffered a lot and
they were compelled to do ordinary jobs not related to respective fields i.e.,
Engineers, Doctors and Lawyers started to earn their way through teaching at
schools and academies. Jobs in gulf and Middle East are still attracting the
talent of Pakistan with handsome salary packages and draining the talent out of
country as the blood from veins.
What could be done is that the government should form a research team
immediately which would try to find out which type of education system is in the
larger interest of the country. Professionals from different fields including
doctors, businessmen, engineers, lawyers etc., should be made part of this team
so a consensus could be formed on the type of education system for the children
of Pakistan. There is no doubt that the solution lies in a single education
system for all children across the country provided that the quality of
education being provided is of international standard.