Education reforms in K-P

Every government brought new changes to the education system in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (K-P) when they came into power. If there are righteous minded people in the government, they would prefer to include religious material into the syllabus. When the power corridor is occupied by liberal or moderate forces, they do away with such substance. Some nationalist forces wish that an all schooling system be in the local language. With the experimental and bizarre nature of imparting knowledge at our schools in K-P, learners and students get confused, and with such a frazzled state of mind, how will they compete in the market. With a set of confused, undefined policies, how are students supposed to acquire an education?

It’s a dilemma and misfortune that in K-P, the chief focus at all times is on the syllabus and construction of buildings but no attention is given to those who are, in fact, working there - I mean the teachers. Their service to nation-building is imperative and they are the ones to be credited for the character development and professional growth of their students.

It’s a disheartening fact that there are multiple schools in K-P that don’t have principals managing the student structure and education system. Some senior teachers have been appointed to look after the basic responsibilities - but how is this serving any good to the students or the system? It’s only contributing to its decline.

The district of Charsadda alone, has over 50 higher secondary and high schools running without a principal. In some cases, the principals have nominated some other teachers in their place, who are not qualified enough to take on superior duties - so literally, no one is bothered about administering the schools.

In the era of change, the K-P minister of education has brought forth new educational policies to the schools — biometrics made compulsory for teachers, monitoring teams were appointed in the district. But there are still schools where the teachers are exempted from their duties due to lack of supervision and hence, the education system further suffers. All because it’s so devoid of administration.

However, there have been some good decisions made by the PTI government - they have created playgrounds and container schools in hilly areas where every citizen can attain access.

I suggest that every government should follow a set of principles and override the rules set by previous governments, as to create exceptional leaders for a better, more flourishing tomorrow.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2016.