KARACHI:
Corruption is plaguing our society like a disease. It is eating away people’s faith in democracy and diminishing the instinct for innovation and creativity. Even though most people pay taxes to the government, one can never see these taxes being utilised to the benefit of the people. If these taxes are used correctly, they can do wonders. The tax money provides the government with the funds to develop infrastructure such as roads and dams and enables it to provide citizens with public services such as healthcare and education.
We keep hearing governments claiming to bring reforms to root out corruption. However, little has changed. A way to root out corruption could be to invest in educating the masses. Pakistan has a significant proportion of the younger population that requires good education and development. Therefore, the government should focus on reforming education and bringing all out-of-school children towards education.
The nation belongs to the youth. What we do today will reflect on our society tomorrow. To combat corrupt mindsets and practices, we need an educated younger generation. Education will inculcate morality and ethics in our youth. These values run contrary to corruption, which undermines the rule of law, violates human rights, and bring other social evils. Through education, people can be enabled to realise the harmful effects of corruption. Increased levels of literacy will produce an ethical workforce that will move beyond self-interest and work towards the greater good of society. If the government wants to effectively combat corruption then it must begin by reforming our education system. Otherwise, little will change in the country.
Sana Sarafraz
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2021.
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