Introduction
History
Education system of Pakistan
Problems:
Teaching - The last resort
Lack of professional staff and their training
Religious vs Modern education
Multi curriculum (Public, Private and Cambridge)
Multi Medium (English, Urdu, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, etc.)
Educational Institute – A Private business
Poor infrastructure (Building, drinking water, toilets)
Low budgetary allocation
Gender gap
Political uncertainty
Recommendations
Conclusion
Powerful army, abundant natural resources, self-sufficient agriculture and industries do not make a state developed, but it is the education system of a state which takes it to the heights of glory. Europe attained the highest position in the world because of her excellency in education, however, the states with poor education systems went under European colonial rule. Despite a huge expenditure, the education system of Pakistan has failed to yield results, as our children could not compete at international level with their counterparts. Lack of resources, energetic teachers and political will has been a major hurdle in the way of making our education system update and result oriented. Moreover, different education systems and variations in curriculums are generating different mindsets.
Current education system of Pakistan is based on the basic structure introduced in India by Lord Macaulay. The aim of that education system was to educate the people of India on how to treat the superior English people. This system created a sense of xenocentrism among the citizens of India. It is pertinent to mention here that after independence, English is the superior, elite and office language of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Moreover, expertise in English language is believed to be a pride for the people of the said countries. A person aspiring for the part of the elite civil service, armed force or judiciary, could not achieve his goal until he is expert in the English language.
It has been observed that a student studies a specific subject, so that he could aspire to his dream in a specific field i.e. Medical, Engineering, Judiciary, Execute, Armed Force, etc. Unfortunately, a majority of students are not enrolled in their favourite fields. However, most of the students change their goals and continue their study in Bachelor and some in Master degree programs. Again, the history repeats itself and again a majority of the students failed to get their dreams fulfilled. At cross-roads, a few of them continue their study, but most of the students get disappointed and hopeless, to whom teaching is the last resort in Pakistan. Majority of the teachers of the schools consists of these hopeless candidates. Therefore, it is impossible that a hopeless teacher could generate ideas, hope and character building in the students.
As we lack competitive and hopeful teaching staff, furthermore, there is no proper and planned training system. A few teachers training institutes are established, but just a formality. A small number of teachers training institutes could not provide pre-requisite training to the teachers. Moreover, these training institutes use old methods which are not compatible with international standards. The developed nations have been changing their teaching methods gradually, to get best outputs. Lack of proper teacher’s training has far reaching effects on their students. Thus, our children could not perform better in the field and compete with their counterparts at global level.
In parallel to schools, there are thousands of Madressahs established across the country. These numbers are increasing day by day. There are multiple reasons behind the increased enrolment in the religious institutes, free mess and accommodation is above all, which is arranged through donations. On the other hand, public schools are also providing free education and books, but at middle level only. The presence of religious educational institutes are helpful for the government, because they arrange education for a large portion of the society and decrease public expenditure. But, the children educated through these institutes could not compete with their counterparts. Government has tried a number of times to introduce a single curriculum, but failed. Moreover, this division of the education system is generating two opposite generations at the expense of national integrity.
Public schools have their specific curriculum, whereas private schools have their own curriculum. Public schools curriculum is set by their concerned provincial boards according to the mental level of the citizens and national interest. On the other hand private and Cambridge like school systems have their different curriculums according to the international level, and their students' mental level, which is somehow higher than ordinary backgrounds students due to their tuition for highly paid academies. Poor citizens could not afford these elite schools. It has been observed that alumni of the private and mostly from elite schools cover most of the prestigious and superior civil services of the Pakistan i.e. CSS and PMS.
Apart from variation in curriculum and education systems, medium is not the least of problems in schools. Sindhi in Sindh, Balochi in Balochistan and Pashto in KPK is the medium of teaching in educational institutes. Moreover, all the syllabus is in their provincial language, except Punjab. It is pertinent to mention here that English language as a colonial legacy has been prioritised over Urdu - The national language. Majority of the students leave studies because of this foreign language, which they have to study in college as well as in university. Only the rich and elite class cross the English language barrier.
Private school system is one of the most profitable businesses in the country. It is pertinent to mention here that these schools share the burden of the government and provide educational facilities to a large number of citizens, but mostly at the expense of proper teaching staff, environment, facilities, regulations, infrastructure, etc. Moreover, the educational future of these students is vulnerable under the hands of under-graduate and un-trained teachers. No doubt, there are some well-developed and organised schools, but not for the poor. These schools create a difference in the society, because the alumni of these elite schools are the real controller of the state resources, executive, legislature and judiciary.
In flood-hit areas, almost all of the public schools were damaged, except those which were built during the British colonial rule in India. It means that no proper planning, calculation and location was heeded while constructing a school infrastructure. Most of the public schools do not have drinking water and toilet facilities, if some have, are in unhygienic condition. In rural areas, most of the schools have no proper outer walls and rooms, and students have to sit in the open sky under the shadow of trees.
Pakistan spent about One Trillion in the education sector in the current fiscal year, which is the highest after the defence sector and debt services. Annually, Pakistan is spending approximately Rs.42,000/- per public school going children, but it is not enough. Due to geostrategic location, Pakistan has to spend a larger chunk of the budget in the defence sector. We have very tense and uncertain relations with our neighbouring states, especially India, who had never accepted the independence of Pakistan since the first day. An increase in the education budget is a precondition for the peace and prosperity of Pakistan, which has never been given much importance.
Females are half of the population in the country, but there is a clear gender gap in enrolment and teaching staff in the education system of Pakistan. Social factors are the main reason behind it, because most of the rural areas and some of the urban areas people do not see women education as a good sign. Moreover, the gender gap in teaching staff could also be a reason behind the small number of female enrolment in the schools. That’s why our educational system is incomplete without the equal representation of both the genders.
Smooth transfer of power through political process is a rare phenomena in the history of Pakistan. Apparently, the past two decades has seen non-dictatorship rule in Pakistan, but it is not the case. Because, the establishment played in the backend. Moreover, horse-trading, political parties alliance and judicial activism has created political uncertainty at the expense of implementation of policies in all the sectors, including education sector. It is evident that political parties hesitate to introduce long term policies due to fear of being ousted or non-elected in the upcoming elections. Politicians prioritise their self-interest over all others.
Daanish School System is a Punjab Government project since 2010. Under this project fourteen schools were established across Punjab. In these schools, students with a low income background were allowed to get admission with free education.I would like to recommend that Daanish school systems should be established in each district of Pakistan. Due to the financial crisis in Pakistan, one public school from each district should be handed over to the Danish School System. After the completion of this project, the number of schools should increase gradually.
To get maximum results, there should be a competitive exam for the appointment of the teachers in this project with the same perks and privileges as a CSP officer enjoys. Moreover, a well-organised and standard training of these teachers would leave no stone unturned in the way of grooming, self-actualisation and creativity of the young minds. A trained mentor will guide his pupils, polish their skills, create hope and creativity, motivate them and help to choose best compatible field of study. In this way, teaching would also be among the attractive services for the talented candidates, who see teaching as a last resort.
There should be an attractive reward package for the school teachers, if their student is among the first three position holders. Moreover, funds should also be released for the said school’s development, whether it is public or private. It would encourage all of the schools to perform for the development, reward and fame.
It is a well known fact that the elite aristocracy has been ruling over the country since the first day at the expense of the economy and institutional development. Moreover, it is very hard to bar upon her. But, for the development of the country, somehow we have to pass an act that, “A person involved in the state affairs i.e. civil servants, judiciary, armed forces, legislature are banned to use any private service, but allowed to use only those private services, which the government doesn’t provide.” When a politician or civil servant will use Pakistan Post, PIA, Pakistan Railways and Public school, college and universities, the development of these sectors is assured. A legislature will make long-term policies, the executive will executive it enthusiastically and the judiciary will issue writs over negligence in this regard.
Education is pivotal, around which the destiny of the nation revolves. Despite a huge expenditure in the education sector, Pakistan’s education system is not improving. There are multiple reasons; (a) difference between religious and modern education; (b) variation in curriculum and multi-medium (c) poor infrastructure (d) lack of political will, energetic teaching staff and resources. But, non-seriousness of the rulers is above all. However, a project like Daanish school system is a ray of hope in the darkness of disappointment. It is the need of the time that each district should have a school like this, where the teachers will be recruited through competitive exams with the same perks as that of CSP cadre. Moreover, by force usage of public service by the aristocracy could be helpful for the development of all the public sectors including education. It is pertinent to mention here that citizens are more aware than ever before and participating in state affairs through political means. In the near future we shall see that democracy will work in its true spirit, where the people of Pakistan will make laws for the people of Pakistan and not just for the elite only.