KARACHI:
Education determines the fate of a nation. It contributes to prosperity, technological advancement, political maturity, economic dynamism, adherence to Constitutional norms, etc. Since its inception, Pakistan struggled to create a strong education system. Consequently, the literacy rate remains low in the country with an ever-increasing number of out-of-school children.
Constant political instability has hindered education as institutes are unable to continue academic activities per usual. Political influence and interference in educational institutions have altered the institutes’ priorities and affected the quality of education. Resultantly, the quality of teaching and research remains poor, and the workforce is largely unskilled and untrained. Pakistan’s education conundrum has weakened the country’s global image. The country is not considered a favourable destination for higher education. The absence of a widely used curriculum and a uniform education system has exacerbated the country’s education woes.
Malcolm X said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. In this age of technological advancement, we have completely ignored the paramount role of education. The battle for Pakistan’s survival should be fought not only on the borders but also in educational institutions. We must not forget the pivotal role of education in a country’s development and sustainability in the contemporary world. The education system needs to be reformed and have a single national curriculum. Girls should be empowered and incentivised to return to school. Along with allocating sufficient funds and resources to the education sector, corruption and nepotism must be eliminated from the education system.
Yaqoob Mehrab
Quetta
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2023.
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