Why have both our military and civilian governments not given education spending the priority that it deserves?
LAHORE: Since Pakistan’s creation successive governments have done little to increase spending on education. As a result, its annual share as a percentage of GDP has never been more than a mere two per cent. According to the ASER report, only 35.5 per cent children can read sentences in English, while 47.8 per cent could solve a two-digit subtraction and 30.6 per cent could do a three-digit division.
Who is responsible for the present state of education? Why do our rulers allow this to happen? Why have both our military and civilian governments not given education spending the priority that it deserves, especially when everyone knows that an educated skilled workforce is a prerequisite for economic advancement and prosperity?
Education is also a key faction in helping control population growth. Before elections, political parties include education in their manifesto and make all kinds of promises but once the election is over and they are in office they forget about these pledges.
Since the military has taken the responsibility for the country’s security it should perhaps also do the same for educating the masses. I say this because it is one institution that has the capability to do this.
Engr ST Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2012.
