Education crisis

Letter January 08, 2017
Accountability can only come into existence via true democracy

FAISALABAD: Education is very expensive and a poor man cannot afford such expenses for his child. Educational institutions have become a business. It is mandated in the Constitution of Pakistan to provide “free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of five and 16 years” and increase adult literacy but I want an answer from the provincial or federal government as to where is the free education? The condition of government educational institutions is ridiculous and people are deprived of basic education. The education system does not meet international standards by far.

Every year, educational institutions increase their fees and there is no check and balance on these institutions. Accountability can only come into existence via true democracy. Unfortunately, we are governed by feudalism. Child labour and the number of street children are dramatically increasing and we know about one recent case of the former. Due to expensive education, poor people force their children to work. The future of Pakistan is out on the streets but our rulers are busy in their own disputes. The education crisis in Pakistan needs critical attention. The Government of Pakistan should set its priorities and begin an awareness campaign about the importance of education and fix the fees of all private and public sector institutions.

Tamveel Mujahid

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2017.

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