Preamble

The Pakistani Constitution states that all children between the ages of 5 and 16 get free and compulsory education, and that adult literacy be enhanced. The concurrent list, which included 47 subjects, was eliminated with the 18th constitutional amendment, and these subjects, including education, were assigned to federating units as a step toward provincial autonomy. This blog presents the current issues and challenges faced by Pakistan’s education system and what needs to be done to improve it.

Introduction

“Education is a matter of life and death for Pakistan. The world is progressing so rapidly that without requisite advancements in education, not only shall we lag behind others but may be wiped out altogether.”

 -Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

In this age of technology and growth, it is apparent that education is critical to a country’s and nation’s progress and development. It would not be incorrect to consider education as the cornerstone of any nation’s future progress. Since Pakistan is a developing country, education is extremely vital for its children and youth. A strong education system not only aids a country in attaining its objectives, but it also fosters a sense of collective responsibility among citizens, allowing them to play a more active part in society. Pakistan is a developing country, and the government has numerous obstacles in various areas, making it difficult to deliver a standard and comprehensive education to all citizens. Political unrest, rising terrorism, social unrest, and economic stagnation have all contributed to the education sector’s downfall. As a result, it is essential to reform Pakistan’s education system by increasing educational institutions’ and framework’s capabilities. 

Challenges faced by the Education sector of Pakistan

Pakistan is plagued by plenty of socioeconomic issues, including poverty, instability, sectarianism, and terrorism. Lack of tolerance, a lack of public awareness, illiteracy, and, most crucially, an inadequate educational system are all factors contributing to these issues. Lack of proper money, poor policy implementation, flawed examination system, poor physical facilities, lack of qualified teachers, political influence, obsolete curriculum, and lack of uniformity are all issues that plague Pakistan’s education system. Pakistan has a population of 208 million people as of 2018, with 43 percent of adults being uneducated (NIPS, 2018). When 51 percent of these 43 percent are women, compared to only 31 percent of men, the issue becomes even more concerning (Jeeva, 2020).

Poverty, cultural restraints, parental illiteracy, and family fears about their daughters’ safety and mobility are all major barriers to girls enrolling in school. Families’ willingness to send their daughters to school may be limited by society’s emphasis on modesty, protection, and early marriages. The enrolment of rural females is 45 percent lower than that of urban girls, whereas the difference for boys is only 10%, demonstrating that the gender gap is a significant problem. Teacher and administrative wages account for more than 90% of the annual education budget. More information about the system paints a bleak picture of the country’s goals to deliver universal education. Pakistan has 51 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 who are not in school (UNICEF, 2020). There is also a school scarcity, with only one middle school for every 13 primary schools.

Based on a review of the concerns and problems, it appears that many times funding for educational projects have been allocated, but there is no process in place to guarantee that those funds are spent properly on education. In various sections of the country, existing infrastructure is being underutilized. Expertise, institutional and capacity concerns, forging national cohesiveness, universal textbook creation standards, and quality assurance are among the challenges. The hiring of academics has a long history of being politicized. The quality of teaching suffers as a result of this, and this is exacerbated when minimal investments are made in teacher preparation. As a result, teachers are not as consistent as they should be, and their time at school is not as useful as it would be if they were well-trained.  There are issues within schools, such as a shortage of teachers, teacher absenteeism, a lack of basic equipment, and a hostile climate. Out-of-school issues include a lack of schools, distance – particularly for females, instability, poverty, cultural norms, and parents who are hesitant or unaware.

Recommendations for Future Growth

There is hope that the education system can improve if certain measures are taken. Firstly, Technical education should be included in secondary school. The curriculum must include carpentry, electrical, and other technical education classes. Secondly, providing financial incentives to students may motivate parents to send their children to school, resulting in a lower dropout rate. Thirdly, The local government system aids in the promotion of education and literacy throughout the country. The finances for education in the local government system would be spent on a need-based basis by the community. Fourthly, one of the reasons for the country’s low literacy rate is corruption in education departments. Education departments require an effective monitoring mechanism.  Relevant structures must be built for any system to function properly. To plan for the promotion of education in the country, legislation and structure should be developed. Education has become a provincial matter since the 18th amendment, so provinces should enact legislation and develop educational programmes to provide quality education. Lastly, Pakistan’s unemployment of educated men and women is a big concern. Students should receive career counseling at schools so that they can gain a better awareness of the work market and develop their talents accordingly.

Conclusion

For educational reform and success, it is critical to have a distinctive, holistic, and innovative strategy. Research is at the center of this paradigm, and it is used to make informed decisions. The school system may regain its lost credibility and lead the country to socioeconomic development by taking this strategy. Finally, a joint effort on several levels between various stakeholders is the most significant aspect in improving education in Pakistan.

Bibliography

Asian Development Bank. (2019). School Education in Pakistan.

Jeeva, S. (2020). Steps towards Improving the Quality of Pakistan’s Education System. Retrieved from The Reformer: https://www.reformer.pakistanascd.org/steps-towards-improving-the-quality-of-pakistans-education-system/

NIPS. (2018). Demographic and Health Survey. National Institute of Population Studies.

UNICEF. (2020). Education. Retrieved from UNICEF Pakistan: https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/education