4% of GDP demanded for education

PESHAWAR: With the country gearing up to put into to power new political leaders, a call has been made to enhance the budgetary allocation for education to four per cent of the gross domestic product.



This was urged at a consultative session on a qualitative analysis of Higher Education in Pakistan, the challenges and recommendations. The session was held at the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) in Peshawar on Tuesday where senior academics ans, vice chancellors, Higher Education Commission (HEC) officials, faculty and civil society representatives presented their views. During the course of the session, different challenges faced by the higher education in the country were discussed and respective recommendations were proposed.



The session called for a constitutional amendment whereby a minimum of four per cent of the total GDP would be allocated to education. At least one per cent would be allotted to the higher education sector. This would ensure the autonomy of universities and an independent review of policies pertaining to the higher education sector. The participants appreciated the merit-based appointment of Dr Tariq Banuri as the chairperson of the HEC and hoped that his appointment would be greatly helpful in addressing the problems now facing the higher education sector of Pakistan.  

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2018.