Govt schools lack scientific laboratories

As the Punjab government boastfully announces its plans to revolutionize the education system with the aid of public-private partnerships, public high schools across the province continue to lack basic amenities including scientific laboratories, which are crucial for imparting practical skills among pure science students.

In fact, the few schools that do have laboratories lack the necessary apparatus, chemical solutions, specimen samples and scientific equipment, forcing matriculation students to approach the costly private sector to prepare for the practical component of their physics, chemistry and biology exams.

Hussain Khalid, a Class 10 student revealed that his boards were approaching, however, no practical lessons had been arranged for any of the pure science subjects at his school. “Our school has a science laboratory, but no staff or practical equipment is available. Due to the lack of practical skills for physics, chemistry and biology, 25 students at our school have failed. Therefore, I am taking private practical classes costing a total of Rs21,000 for all three subjects,” said Khalid.

On the other hand, another student, Zeimam Ali disclosed that science teachers attracted students towards registering for private practical coaching at school. “Students of physics, chemistry and biology are promised full marks in their practical exams if they take private tutoring from the teachers. Therefore, most students get practical training through private means after paying a hefty fee,” said Ali.

According to Habib Tufail, a science teacher at a Government High School in Sahiwal, at least 500 to 700 students study physics, chemistry and biology at a large public school, while 200 to 300 are registered at smaller schools.

“Even today children study only theory in books since there is no arrangement for teaching these subjects in a practical way. Furthermore, the posts of lab assistants and attendants are also vacant. Therefore, children are taking help from private centres,” said Tufail.

Mubarak Ali, a retired laboratory attendant at a large government high school confirmed that nowadays science laboratories in schools were serving no purpose. “Students buy physics, chemistry and biology practical books from the market and are clearing exams by taking mock practical tests at private educational institutions,” claimed Ali.

“In an attempt to promote computer education in schools, the already existing science laboratories have been reduced to ruins. In other cases, the labs have either been integrated into classrooms or turned into store rooms. Due to the shortage of laboratories for science subjects, students are unable to practice their skills. The school administration has been asked to update the science labs several times but to no avail,” regretted the Secretary of the Punjab Teachers Association, Rana Liaquat Ali.

According to records available to The Express Tribune, there are approximately 8,950 high and higher secondary schools in Punjab, with a total of just 5,000 laboratories, out of which only 300 are equipped with modern equipment while an even smaller percentage has available attendants.

It is worth mentioning that 25 marks are allocated for the practical exams for physics, chemistry and biology in class 10. However, only 10 per cent of government schools are able to facilitate students in preparing for this crucial component.

Pakistan People’s Party leader Zaki Chaudhry believed that the Punjab government was keeping children away from science subjects. “Computers as well as science laboratories should be upgraded in schools so that at least children can be prepared for their practical exams. In this way, they will be able to excel in the field of science,” opined Chaudhry.

Commenting on the matter, Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat assured that the Punjab government was hoping to improve the condition of science laboratories at government schools for the betterment of students.