The education sector in Pakistan

The education sector in Pakistan needs tovast majority of children who attend school are not
‘overhaul’ itself. Education is an essential andable to read and comprehend material other than
exclusive unit of a prosperous nation and thewhat they memorize from textbooks. Nor are they
backbone of successful people. It is that veryable to perform simple computational skills in
element through which an individual further serves hismathematics. So for a lot of children who do make it
her country and society as a responsible citizen. Johnto school, the education they receive is extremely
Locke once said that, “Learning is a process thatinadequate and that creates an inefficient use of
never ends.” Keeping this view in mind, when wepublic resources. Dissatisfaction with government
see the situation that surrounds us, we are forced toschools is reflected by the low attendance rate --20
feel anxiety and get worried. Why? Cause, if we areto 30 percent of schools are either empty or have
to learn and if learning is a continuous process, thenvery few students. Rural parents think that a
learning should be made easy…Right? But even inchild’s time is better used in chores at home or
this day and age and the revolution in Informationassisting parents in income earning activities. Since the
Technology, we are still concerned about getting ouropportunity cost of educating poor children is high,
youth acquainted to the very basics of education. Itthe quality of education also has to be high, in order
is quite an upsetting sight, to encounter the basics ofto convince parents of the value of sending children
primary and secondary education in such a depletingto school.
state when compared with the rest of the world.Parents and communities neither understand the
Lack of skills and high illiteracy levels are as great avalue of education nor contribute to it in the rural
barrier to economic development. Pakistan is forcedsector. Government in conjunction with N.G.O’s
to compete in the world markets where mostrequire an active and immediate involvement in this
developing countries already have more skilledissue. Low amounts are spent on primary education
workers. First and foremost of these problems is theagainst higher amounts on universities and
bromide statement “we need reforms in theprofessional colleges. In addition, a recent survey has
education sector.” We all talk about how werevealed that “ghost schools” have existed
need reforms and what needs to be done in thefor a long period of time i.e., schools which only exist
education sector but even so, what’s moreon paper, this results in the wastage of national
unfortunate is, that this clichéd topic still standsfinancial resources. The present economic constraints
unresolved, and I’m again sitting here anddo not allow increased monitory allocation of
discussing the ever frustrated and jaded topic yetresources to education, so therefore we must be
again. Statistics clearly indicate that not only primarycareful as to the taxpayer’s money being
enrolment rates are generally low (as the ruralinvested fairly and justly and for the right cause as
population exceeds the urban one), but widewell. Statistics show that 65% of private schools are
disparities exist in enrolments across provinces,located in urban areas. The provision of physical
genders and locations. Issues that hamper properfacilities e.g., electricity, safety, water, sanitation and
education include the tribal conflicts, ethnic and socialtelecommunications, etc. is needed which would
taboos such as the minorities’ factor etc andimprove the quality of rural life. This would lead to
other similar issues. Apart from access, the quality ofmore awareness and an urge would be created
education is very poor, especially in the public sectoramongst the locals to send their children to school.
and rural areas. A decaying infrastructure, lack ofLast but not the least, budget allocation for the
proper facilities, irrelevant curricula, etc., along witheducation sector has been desperately brushed aside
untrained teaching staff, staff absenteeism, scarcityfor the most part. However, we cannot ignore or
of books and teaching aids adversely affect theoverlook the efforts that have been made by the
quality of education. This results in low levels ofgovernment in this regard, in the past decade.
learning achievement, and wastage of resourcesApproaches that can generate additional resources
through grade repetitions, and high drop-out rates.for increasing funds for the education sector,
Children cannot get enrolled in the schools because ofespecially to primary education, adult literacy and
costly education, un-availability of schools - Remoteearly childhood education should be adopted. We can
schools, No financial assistance for further educationalso appreciate the considerable progress and
etc. Lower investment in girl’s education alsoparticipation of NGOs and private sectors in the field
imposes a high cost on society. When women areof education. However, this issue does not rest here
more educated, labor force participation ratessince it requires more and extensive attention for this
increase, their children are better nourished andand the coming generations. Efficacious educational
educated, and of utmost importance to Pakistan,reforms in Pakistan will, quite obviously, be perplexed,
fertility rates are lowered. The population of Pakistanhard and arduous, and unlikely to achieve immediate
is estimated to grow to 250 million in twenty yearsmilestones. It calls for a high level of political and
and the country does not have the resources topublic volition, requiring more commitment from the
sustain this increase. Female illiteracy will be anformer at this stage that has been lacking for quite
important contributor to this population increase. Thesome time now.