KARACHI:
While South Korea, China and India are making notable advancements in various sectors, Pakistan continues to encounter challenges, especially in medical technology and engineering. This lag can be traced back to various factors, with a key contributor being the absence of effective career counselling within the country.
The absence of a centralised system to track and guide students from primary to higher education exacerbates the problem. A unified approach is essential for consistent support and guidance at every stage of a student’s educational journey. The absence of a uniform system perpetuates a scenario where students often make decisions based on parental influence rather than informed choices. Traditional gender norms further compound the issue as parents often steer their children towards stereotypical career paths. Girls are nudged towards medical fields, while boys are encouraged to pursue engineering. This antiquated mindset limits the diversity of career choices and perpetuates gender-based expectations in education.
A critical aspect contributing to the dearth of specialised skills in Pakistan is the lack of awareness about alternative professions. While there are over 2,000 lucrative professions globally, the focus in Pakistan remains predominantly on a handful of fields, such as medicine, engineering and civil services. This limited perspective restricts the exploration of diverse career opportunities and hinders the country’s potential for growth and innovation. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive overhaul of the educational system including standardised curricula, improved teacher training and the establishment of a robust guidance system. Additionally, efforts to challenge traditional gender norms and raise awareness about diverse professions are crucial for fostering a more dynamic and informed generation of professionals in Pakistan.
Arsalan Ali Sahito
Sukkur
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
