Longstanding challenge

Bureaucratic red tape, political interference and nepotism undermine efforts to improve accountability & transparency

In a stirring declaration, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thrust the issue of Pakistan’s education crisis into the national spotlight, invoking a sense of urgency and collective responsibility. With over 26 million children out of school and alarming rates of illiteracy, the PM’s call for an ‘Education Emergency’ resonates deeply with the pressing need to address this longstanding challenge.

By pledging personal oversight and transcending political divides, Sharif has signaled a commitment to marshal all available resources and expertise towards a common goal: making Pakistan one of the most educated societies in the world. Statistics, however, present a stark and sobering reality, with more children out of school in Pakistan than the entire population of many nations. The curriculum and pedagogical approach in Pakistan’s schools also warrant scrutiny as over 70% of children in Pakistan struggle to read or understand text. Critics argue that the current curriculum lacks relevance to the needs of a rapidly evolving society, emphasising rote memorisation over critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Another pressing issue facing Pakistan’s education system is the chronic underfunding and misallocation of resources. Despite constitutional guarantees of free and compulsory education, government spending on education remains insufficient. Things on the administrative side are riddled with systemic inefficiencies and corruption. Bureaucratic red tape, political interference and nepotism undermine efforts to improve accountability and transparency.

Yet, challenges of this magnitude are not insurmountable. It is fairly clear what needs to be done and only a sincere professional at the helm is required. Drawing inspiration from nations like Germany and Japan, who rose from adversity to become global leaders, there is hope in the transformative power of education. Pakistan’s youthful population presents a demographic dividend that, if harnessed effectively, could drive innovation and growth.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2024.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.