KARACHI:
Education is a fundamental right of every individual, regardless of their gender, and it plays a pivotal role in empowering communities and fostering social and economic development. By providing access to education, especially higher education, we can empower girls and young women in Tharparkar enabling them to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. Tharparkar, with its seven tehsils and a vast area spanning over 19,000 square kilometres, is facing a significant educational disparity, particularly in terms of accessible higher education for girls.
Tharparkar’s district headquarters, Mithi has just one girls’ college, which has failed to cater to the educational needs of the district’s female population. The distance between Mithi and the other six tehsils, such as Nagarparkar and Chachro poses a substantial hurdle for girls who aspire to pursue higher education. This geographical constraint contributes to the low literacy rate and limited opportunities for girls in the district. Moreover, the existing girls’ college in Mithi suffers from a shortage of female teachers, which has further exacerbated the problem.
The provincial education authorities must address these challenges and strive to bridge the gap by creating separate girls’ colleges in each tehsil of Tharparkar. This endeavour will require collaborative efforts from government bodies, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. It will also help the country take a significant step towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is quality education. The government should prioritise girls’ education and allocate the necessary resources and support to fulfil its commitment to provide education for all.
Mukesh Raja
Mithi, Tharparkar
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
