The literacy rate of the country for the year 2017 has dropped down by 2%
KARACHI: The literacy rate of the country for the year 2017 has dropped down by 2%, which as a matter of fact points at the drop in the literacy rate of the provinces. For the year 2017, Sindh stands at third with K-P and Punjab at second and first, respectively. Also, Sindh has shown a comparatively drastic drop in its literacy rate compared to other provinces, with the provincial government shamelessly failing to put any policies in place.
Keeping aside the pros and cons of programmes, with educational reforms in Punjab like ‘Daanish’ schools, CM’s laptop scheme and others, K-P government too has managed to maintain the same literacy rate. However, the state of government schools and education is pathetic in Sindh with 55% of children being out of school, according to a report. The same report also mentions billions received as grants and loans from international donor bodies which were never allocated to the programmes. On academic level, with most having an outdated curriculum, the divide created by the quality of education provided by private and government schools has widened. Ghost schools, worn-out infrastructure, teacher absenteeism and the curriculum are few of the countless problems that haunt the future of the youth of the province.
Asad Hashim
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2017.
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