ISLAMABAD:
The abysmally low budgetary allocation for education made by the state is truly unfortunate. An eminent scientist and former chairman of the Higher Education Commission has said recently that while the target was seven per cent of GDP, Pakistan was, in fact, spending only a fifth of that, 1.4 per cent of GDP, on education.
History stands testimony to the fact that no nation has ever been able to achieve significant progress without giving education the priority that it unquestionably deserves. Had those who have been in power over the past 65 years known the value and importance of education in every sphere of national development, it would not have met the fate that it unfortunately has.
Apathy on the part of successive governments towards education and failure to appreciate its value in a nation’s progress and prosperity compels one to wonder whether they ever knew of its benefits. Nations which have realised the importance of education and made sustained investment in this vital sector are today reaping the benefits of phenomenal progress and prosperity. They are not only self-reliant but are also sharing the benefits of their success with countries which are lagging behind in all spheres due to lack of education.
A quick glance through statistics reveal that neighbouring India currently spends 4.1 per cent of its GDP on education, Sri Lanka spends five per cent and Bangladesh spends 2.4 per cent. According to World Bank data, expenditure on education in countries like sub-Saharan Ethiopia is 4.6 per cent of GDP; 5.3 per cent in Ghana and 4.6 per cent in Bhutan.
Experts believe that Pakistan needs to raise its budgetary allocation on education to at least four per cent of GDP. Would the government in power and the government in waiting give any serious thought to this vital issue for the sake of this nation?
M Fazal Elahi
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2012.
