'The education crisis in Pakistan is serious, its big and it needs the educated to step up and own it!'
These were the words of Nadia Naviwala who was speaking at the Beaconhouse School of Tomorrow event on the topic of 'Pakistan's Education Crisis'.
Stating alarming facts and figures regarding the state of education in Pakistan, she shared her findings from extensive research from all provinces where the issues ranged from absent teachers and stagnating enrollment to deplorable standard of education. While the general belief is that not enough funds are allocated for the education sector in the country, it was both a relief and a disappointment to know that its not the amount of funds, but the way these funds are managed, that is the real problem! Relief because money can no longer be used as an excuse and disappointment because despite having funds, we are unable to deliver because of our lack of will and honesty.
When education is not a priority but treated as a mere political stunt to win elections, facts and figures become an eyewash, created only to look good on paper!
One of the major areas where the education budget is spent is on the salaries of teachers, which would've been a delight had those teachers been doing their jobs too! Sindh is on the forefront when it comes to rewarding teachers who don't even come to school, showing an absolute lack of political will and leadership!
While the picture may appear bleak, there are some positive steps being taken too as in KPK where the education graph is gradually showing progress, the vision of the education department farsighted and deep. With the emerging trend of private sector stepping up and assisting government in raising the standard of the public schools by either adopting them or partnering with them, there are still officials who are not looking to shy away from their responsibilities. When asked about his opinion of the private sector getting engaged with the public schools, the education minister of KPK said, 'It is 'my' job to fix the private schools and instead of handing it to someone else, I should be doing it. What else am I getting paid for!' and one does hope that this spirit is shared at all levels of the government throughout the country.
There are some very vital questions that we as a nation need to ask ourselves and arrive at a consensus for a shared vision when it comes to education in Pakistan.The future of Pakistan will not just be the elite, but also the neglected, illiterate and lost youth that is overlooked with convenience. Do we have a vision for what kind of citizens we want to become and live with or for us, Pakistan is only one segment of the society? Do we care if we see a child of school-going age out in the street? Are we ready to take responsibility for kids other than our own? Voicing these difficult questions, Nadia stated the example of Sweden where communities took it upon themselves to make sure that every child was going to school, getting quality education and why not, as citizens it is only fair that we step up, fill gaps and not just identify problems but even become part of the solution!
Strangely, there is a very visible lack of interest of Pakistanis in Pakistan. Everyone feels that they have the option to leave, many have left, many are in the process of doing so and the rest, well, they are trying to get their hands on anything and everything they can, but with causes like TCF, Akhuwat and Nur Foundation, you see hope too, though its light may still be too bleak, needing many more to hold the beacons of unity and enlightenment.
Another aspect that I cannot stop thinking about is what exactly is education teaching us. If even after getting educated, we are dishonest, corrupt, insensitive, irresponsible and selfish, then what good has education brought us! If our teachers,clerks,, lawyers, doctors, ministers, leaders, all come from the same community of the 'educated' then wouldnt it be only fair to expect a certain degree of character and ethics from them. Where is our education system failing to instill these basic seeds of what it means to be truly educated!
If even after spending 7 years in a school, a child is unable to write his own name or read the word Pakistan, then we all, the educated, are guilty of a crime as big as murder for depriving a child from his right to education is like shutting doors of opportunities, growth, vision, empowerment and possibilities for him. Master Ayub may not have a campus to boast of, but he does have passion, sincerity and commitment to his cause and that is something we most essentially need, the rest will follow, I promise!
These were the words of Nadia Naviwala who was speaking at the Beaconhouse School of Tomorrow event on the topic of 'Pakistan's Education Crisis'.
Stating alarming facts and figures regarding the state of education in Pakistan, she shared her findings from extensive research from all provinces where the issues ranged from absent teachers and stagnating enrollment to deplorable standard of education. While the general belief is that not enough funds are allocated for the education sector in the country, it was both a relief and a disappointment to know that its not the amount of funds, but the way these funds are managed, that is the real problem! Relief because money can no longer be used as an excuse and disappointment because despite having funds, we are unable to deliver because of our lack of will and honesty.
When education is not a priority but treated as a mere political stunt to win elections, facts and figures become an eyewash, created only to look good on paper!
While the picture may appear bleak, there are some positive steps being taken too as in KPK where the education graph is gradually showing progress, the vision of the education department farsighted and deep. With the emerging trend of private sector stepping up and assisting government in raising the standard of the public schools by either adopting them or partnering with them, there are still officials who are not looking to shy away from their responsibilities. When asked about his opinion of the private sector getting engaged with the public schools, the education minister of KPK said, 'It is 'my' job to fix the private schools and instead of handing it to someone else, I should be doing it. What else am I getting paid for!' and one does hope that this spirit is shared at all levels of the government throughout the country.
There are some very vital questions that we as a nation need to ask ourselves and arrive at a consensus for a shared vision when it comes to education in Pakistan.The future of Pakistan will not just be the elite, but also the neglected, illiterate and lost youth that is overlooked with convenience. Do we have a vision for what kind of citizens we want to become and live with or for us, Pakistan is only one segment of the society? Do we care if we see a child of school-going age out in the street? Are we ready to take responsibility for kids other than our own? Voicing these difficult questions, Nadia stated the example of Sweden where communities took it upon themselves to make sure that every child was going to school, getting quality education and why not, as citizens it is only fair that we step up, fill gaps and not just identify problems but even become part of the solution!
Strangely, there is a very visible lack of interest of Pakistanis in Pakistan. Everyone feels that they have the option to leave, many have left, many are in the process of doing so and the rest, well, they are trying to get their hands on anything and everything they can, but with causes like TCF, Akhuwat and Nur Foundation, you see hope too, though its light may still be too bleak, needing many more to hold the beacons of unity and enlightenment.
Another aspect that I cannot stop thinking about is what exactly is education teaching us. If even after getting educated, we are dishonest, corrupt, insensitive, irresponsible and selfish, then what good has education brought us! If our teachers,clerks,, lawyers, doctors, ministers, leaders, all come from the same community of the 'educated' then wouldnt it be only fair to expect a certain degree of character and ethics from them. Where is our education system failing to instill these basic seeds of what it means to be truly educated!
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