Education in Pakistan, Part I

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Dear Mr. Malik:

Your article on education is very well presented in respect of conceptual deficiencies in the education system of Pakistan. But my experience of over forty years in various institutions in different countries, leads me to differ in respect of what would be an effective approach to correct.

Just to highlight my view in this short E-mail, i would say that centralized solutions from the ``top`` do not work. So education planning at the primary, middle, secondary levels must be assigned to provincial and lower government levels with due financial support from the Federal Government.

Shall welcome your comments.

Regards



Asghar Elahi

hi,

i`m writting a paer in my english class about how the poor education in pamkistan is effecting peopl socially and how violence is a result of this. If anyone could help me out I would be much obliged. Thanx

Re: Education in Pakistan

A crucial issue, I was glad to see it tackled on Chowk. Realizing this was a first installment, I hope that the issue of `intellectual freedom` will also be dealt with in upcoming installments. No amount of restructuring can improve higher education if this, perhaps, most challenging issue is not faced and overcome.

Thank you for your perspective. It was thought provoking.

I think the root cause of the failure of the educational system to evolve and grow from its colonial legacy is political. We have a deep-seated, well implemented, self perpetuating caste system in our society. Until political thought directs itself to the common people, Pakistan will continue to be a nation of illiterates. I think its possible. We just have to keep on repeating that we need better schools and that its unfair that all Pakistani children don`t go to school; in public forums, in drawing rooms, in the streets, in the polling booths, in railway stations, on telephones, in newspapers, in theatre, on TV. Thats the first step:-)

I believe that small changes can turn the tide.

Waheed,

I agree with your main theme but I disagree on the priorities. After mentioning the conceptual framework you didn`t explore it further.
A conceptual framework would be independent of the mechanics of an education policy and very distinct from it. The conceptual framework would at several levels encapsulate the required knowledge and its necessary depth at any point on the plane of discipline and grade.
IMHO that would be the starting point for redefining the educational process in Pakistan.
The policy for implementing that framework would follow and despite all that has preceded this, is unlikely to be as contentious or insoluble as appears to have been assumed.

I would also like to say that I deeply regret having missed the opportunity to have participated in the discussion on Prof. Najams excellent article. Perhaps when the subject comes up again we can go into it in more detail.

Tahnoon.

I don`t really disagree with what you are saying though I think the caricature of those who do education policy is a bit harsh.... I say so because I do really believe that the problem is not as much with education policy makers (most of whom (at the MoE, actually are usually people who started as teaches); to me the problem is with our societal priorities. Those who really matter(elites) have actually created a sub-system of education which is actually VERY VERY good (amongst the best in teh world some would say) for their children. Thus they have no incentive to change things that are bad and those who have things bad have to means to change things either. Hence the stalemate.

Private schools only work for those who can pay `market prices` for them they are already working... asking teh poorest communities to send their children to private schools for good education is like asking the hungry to eat cake if they cannot afford bread!

As for policy, the VERY first major conference in Pakistan immediately after independence was held on education with Jinnah staying for the full two days and participating. That report is still the best policy articulation and has actually been repeated in every policy statement since then.... the issue, however, is societal priority. In having followed the issue very closely for many years I am not convinced that we as a society and we as a class really have the general education of anyone except our own children as a priority. Hence the perpetuation of systematic aparthied in the name of education.

Waheed Malik,

I echo your sentiments exactly. What is needed is an intense dialogue at the national level with all parties concerned including the private sector, in how to have a coherent, consistent, long-term policy which is not dependent on the whim of the politicians. The private sector has a lot to offer here - and whether we like it or not - in today`s world money is the name of the game. I wonder often, what it must feel like to live with a view of the Red Square and see the thriving GAP and Benetton stores on it today - Russia has 80 years of mistakes to get over, we have 50.
I am not advocating mindless capatilism here - just that we need to rethink our dependence on the government to do EVERYTHING for us. From the government, I just expect a commitment to make education a priority, a well-constructed education policy, diverting additional monies to primary education (by rooting out corruption, decrease subsidizing of higher education for people who can afford it - what`s the point in paying for students to get MBBS and Engineering degrees who then go abroad - it`s a total loss of government resources). Quality, instead of quantity should be emphasized in higer education. Of course it would be great if we could substantially reduce military spending. This is not as far-fetched as it sounds and as long as we retain a nuclear bomb and the capacity to deliver it, and so does India - any war would be suicidal and both countries know that.