KARACHI:
Globally, higher education is considered a career ladder because it prepares students for the job market and professional life. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, most higher education institutes have failed to inculcate the correct knowledge, skills, and training among the students. Resultantly, students lag in critical thinking, innovative abilities, and industrial knowledge, which prevents them from getting adequate jobs.
Across the country, many graduates are struggling to gain employment even after acquiring a degree. Students from a handful of private universities find it relatively easier to access job opportunities, but those from public universities cannot compete in the job market because of substandard curricula and the absence of career counselling.
The Ministry of Education must consider this issue and standardise the syllabus in all universities. Unnecessary subjects that do not support students’ professional careers must be alleviated so that students are not overburdened or stressed. Also, higher education institutes should be encouraged to draw curriculums and courses in line with the requirements of the job market. Summative assessment criteria should be uniform to avoid any discrepancies. Without these critical changes, our higher education institutes will serve little purpose and are graduates will continue to suffer.
Syeda Uzma Paiam Bukhari
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2022.
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