Greater interaction for bridging the gap

Speakers at a seminar promote the idea of greater discourse.

ISLAMABAD:

There is a wide gulf between the various streams of education systems in the country and there is a need to promote greater discourse among the students of different backgrounds.

This was the consensus evolved by educationalists, religious scholars and government officials during a seminar on the country’s education system on Monday. The discussion was titled “Education system in Pakistan challenges and opportunities”.

Speakers noted that a difference in education quality is in fact a class difference. Increasing interaction and discourse between different classes can be the first step to bridge the gap.

Islamic University’s Islamic Research Institute Director General Khalid Masood said more dialogue between the two systems will not only increase understanding but also allow for social mobility for poor children who are currently gaining only religious education.

Political analyst Ayesha Siddiqua, like many others, attributed sub-par education standards to meagre government funding.

“There is currently no regulation or quality assessment system of education systems in the country,” she said. Siddiqua also acknowledged that there is too much pressure on college and university-level students to go to topnotch universities at home and abroad, without giving them the correct tools at primary and secondary level to succeed or be internationally competitive.

The event was organised by Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2012.