Education—a neglected subject in capital

None of the parties have a framework for making changes in the sector

ISLAMABAD: Even mainstream political parties have little to offer in the way of out-of-the-box solution for issues that the capital’s public education sector faces, especially schools and colleges.

While the federal capital braces for the local bodies elections and candidates lure potential voters, it is notable that education has been one of the most problematic subjects in Islamabad, especially after devolution in 2010.

To top it off, the uncertainty and change of command at Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) has taken a toll on public sector education. The sprouting population too, is just testing the government’s efficiency.

With the government already lagging behind in proper infrastructure, the administration has no plans to build new colleges, compelling parents to take to the private sector.

Newly-appointed CADD Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has vowed, in recent speeches, to altogether change the face of education sector in the capital. “I know what is going on for the last few years and the prime minister has appointed me to sort this and other issues out as soon as possible,” he said in a recent meeting regarding the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).

Ex-senator and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Zafar Ali Shah has the same to say. “The multi-pronged education system, issue of rural and urban divide and disparity in quality of education is what needs to be changed,” he said adding that the devolution destroyed everything in health and education sector.

Ammar Rashid, a member of Awami Workers Party, said the issues facing daily wage teachers and poor schooling have let the private schools take the reins of education. He stressed over the participation of parents and other stakeholders in uplifting the broken system with community.

“High-cost schools need to be regulated, while low-cost need to improve quality,” he remarked.

PTI MNA Asad Umer said his party was clear about improving the capital’s education system. “Our best gauge is our performance and plans in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” he said, adding that teacher attendance and retention of students in schools has improved in the province. He said their slogan of change is not mere rhetoric but a reality.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2015.