EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan is one of those countries which have the lowest literacy rates, in the world. 67%   of the women are illiterate. Seven million children from the age of 5 to 9 years are out of school.

Most of the population of this country is youth. If Pakistan manages to educate the youth population. It could harness a tremendous difference. They could fuel the country’s economic growth and modernization. Failure to do so can turn this country in a “disaster in making”. According to Quaid-e-Azam, the founder of Pakistan.

         “ 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.”

The educational system of Pakistan has the following pros and cons:

PROS:

• The education system is still striving to get stable and provide the education necessary for living in this fast-moving world of technology. Being stagnant is dangerous for the future of the state, as still waters run stale.
• Introducing new systems of educations. O-Levels and A-Levels have greatly improved the standard and quality of education in Pakistan.
• Rewarding students with scholarships and fee concessions gives the children of poor people a chance to finish their education.
• Free primary education in government schools all over Pakistan is a major factor in raising literacy rates.
• Introducing co-education has improved students’ confidence in interacting with each other and as Pakistan is a developing country separate institutions for boys and girls are a drain on the country.

Unfortunately, the cons of the present-day education system weigh down the pros tremendously.

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CONS:

• The syllabus is not only outdated but also theoretical not practical. 20+ years old syllabus is being taught. The students learning the history of computers at the BS level, instead of its remarkable uses cannot compete with the modern age of society.
• The annual budget for education in Pakistan is 83.8 billion which is low for a country with a population of 226,883,280 as of Friday, November 26, 2021. Even this budget is being wasted and not utilized to better the educational institutes.
• There is no unity (different syllabus). There is a social class difference due to the two educational systems. This causes disparity in the minds of students. There is English medium and Urdu medium. Moreover, the government sector and private sector teach totally different syllabus.
• Education has become a profitable business rather than a necessity. Hundreds of academies are being made without any check or balance. Their fees are sky-high. All the academies teach the same syllabus then why the different prices.
• Limited fields are offered. If a has to gain a handsome living and respect he/she has to be either a doctor or an engineer. In most cases, the minds of children are infiltrated with the ideas of either being a doctor or engineer from a very young age, as only these professions are taken seriously by society. Not taking into account their skill or interests, which leads to discontent in the future.
• There is a lack of policy, and no check and balance. There are hundreds and thousands of ghost schools which never really opened but the government gives monthly salaries to people who are supposed to be school administration.
• Today’s education is directionless. Students acquire no real skill to utilize which renders them incapable to land good-paying jobs. The degree holders are no longer respected. At some points, these degree holders are provided internships by non-degree holders.
• Today, a child is more likely to be tested in the examination on how good his brain works in remembering things rather than his/her skill. Examiners want word-to-word textbook answers which not only dulls the child’s creativity but also puts a massive load on him/her, as every child’s mental capacity is not the same. Cramming is not only required but also appreciated. This way children remember things but few understand them.
• Today in Pakistan there are only a few teachers who set out to do exactly that. Teachers are taken in low regard. Most teachers, teach nowadays because they were incapable to get other jobs or achieve what they initially set out to do.
• Today’s examination system is defective. Students are not allowed to challenge an examiner if his/her question has been crossed even if the answer is completely correct. This is unfair to the student who has worked hard and studied day in, day out. Moreover, the passing marks are very low. A student is considered to pass if he/she attains 33% marks.
• Last but not least, the mental health of teenagers is deteriorating at a fast pace. This has never been taken seriously. The amount of burden on a student due to school and teachers is only increased but the pressure of expectations of parents and the society to achieve more than 90% marks. 15 to 20 students end their lives each day! A female student of UMT Lahore did suicide quite recently due to physical exam pressure. Fareed Ahmad did suicide after attaining 81% marks upon which his parents were not satisfied.

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       HOW CAN WE IMPROVE:

•  The government needs to give more scholarships.
• Career counselors should be appointed and the student should be allowed to explore fields of choice before entering one for life.
• Academies that have not been approved should be closed.
• Passing marks should have risen to 50%.
• More schools should be made in the rural areas.
• The fresh and latest syllabus should be implemented.
• There should be the same syllabus being taught in schools all over the country.
• Students should go further relying on their skill rather than how well they can cram.

Written By:

YUMNA TARIQ (YT)