Education is a source that can turn a nation’s fortune and bring positive change in any society. Well-educated nations are always successful in every field of life. Pakistan is one of those developing countries that are facing threatening problems and education is on the top of the list amongst such problems.
Firstly, the education system of Pakistan is based on unequal lines. Medium of education is different in both, public and private sector. This creates a sort of disparity among people, dividing them into two segments. Such a distraught infrastructure is a basic cause of high illiteracy rate in Pakistan and high dropout rates in rural areas and public school.
Secondly, regional disparity is also a major cause. The schools in Balochistan (the largest province of Pakistan by Area) are not that much groomed as that of Punjab (the largest province Of Pakistan by Population). In FATA, the literacy rate is deplorable constituting 29.5% in males and 3% in females.
The third major cause of flawed education system in Pakistan is gender discrimination. The current primary school ratio of boys and girls is 10:4, which is a cause of huge concern. For the last few years there has been an increase in the growth of private schools. It is believed that Pakistan is among the most prominent states affected by gender discrimination. That not only harms the quality of education in Pakistan but create a gap among haves and have not’s.
Fourthly, the lack of technical education is a biggest flaw in the education policy that has never been focused before. Therefore, less technical people means low standard of education.
Fifthly, the allocation of funds for education is very low. It is only 1.5 to 2.0 percent of the total GDP. It should be around 7% of the total GDP. At that budget allocation, the illiteracy rate in Pakistan would not decrease but rather increase. The federal and provincial governments need to cut down their expenditures in other areas and spend a bigger proportion of income on education.
In America, Europe and most of the developed countries, the emphasis of the states is on developing virtual education systems i.e. provision of education through online networks. The idea of online education is gathering momentum and many online institutions have been set up which offer online courses and online degrees. The Higher Education Commission and Education ministry need to focus on developing a strong online education network so that students throughout the country can benefit. Universities such as Harvard, Berkley and MIT are offering online courses and degrees. It reflects the importance of online education in today's modern high tech world.
I think some important and effective reforms can help to improve the educational system of Pakistan.
First of all the medium of all schools must be the same.
Secondly, there must be appropriate training programs for the teachers of Government schools.
Thirdly, computer study is essential at primary level.
Fourthly, allocation of funds to education sector should be increased by Government.
Today biggest problem in Pakistan is that student doesn’t know what to do next in his life so he goes to undirected path and fails in life. There should be people for career counseling of children so that they could get to know that what they have to do in future.
These people should be appointed in both Govt and Private sectors. Parents should also understand what a child wants to do in life and they should not impose their decisions on children.
Let’s suppose sometimes a child wants to be a doctor but parents try to impose that he should must become an engineer or sometimes Child wants to become an Engineer but parents impose that he should become Doctor.
In such cases child loses his heart and stops hard work and passion in his studies and Try to start Cramming and at the end of the day he becomes a failed person.
Government have to take specific steps to end cramming system in education from Govt 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 givers him or her.
Education is very important for the success of every nation. Government of Pakistan should take steps to improve the educational system because today’s students are tomorrow’s nation builders and proper educational opportunities can motivate them to work hard.