Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim
Education plays an important role in the progress and development of a nation. However, Pakistan’s educational system has many obstacles that prevents it from reaching its full potential. Millions of children in Pakistan do not attend school, and those who do encounter difficulties such as unsatisfactory learning conditions and missing teachers. Pakistan is suffering a serious education crisis. According to UNICEF, 22.8 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 do not attend school, making them the second biggest population in the world, behind Nigeria. Another alarming statistic, which most people are still ignorant of, is that nearly four out of every five Pakistani children under the age of ten have difficulty reading simple text. This implies that even kids who do go to primary school on a regular basis aren’t learning the level of reading comprehension that is appropriate for their age. In this article, we will look at these problems from several of aspects and address potential solutions.
Pakistan’s literacy rate is lower than the world average and has a sizable gender gap. The rate of female literacy is only 49%, while the rate for male literacy is 70%. Pakistan devotes a comparatively small portion of its GDP to education, which results in underfunded educational institutions and insufficient resources. Only 12 nations worldwide allocate less than 2% of their GNP on education. Pakistan is one of them.
The shortage of suitable facilities and infrastructure in many areas of Pakistan is one of the most obvious problems with the country’s educational system. Students’ access to high-quality education is restricted by this.
Many schools in rural areas are without adequate structures, electricity, and safe water to drink. When these necessities are lacking, it is difficult for kids, especially girls, to go to school on a regular basis. Furthermore, parents may be dissuaded from sending their kids to school if they have a long travel to a far-off institution.
Another problem is Pakistan’s educational system and curriculum have come under criticism for being out of date and failing to adequately prepare students for life in the modern world. Many Pakistani schools place a strong emphasis on rote memorization as part of their curriculum, which hinders students’ ability to think critically and solve problems. It is imperative to update the curriculum to prioritize critical thinking and practical skills in order to adequately prepare students for the demands of the twenty-first century. In government schools, the main lesson taught to students is how to be obedient so they can become good workers.
Pakistan’s examination system has many shortcomings, such as a strong emphasis on memorizationand rote learning, which may not promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. In Pakistan, exams frequently place more emphasis on rote memory than in-depth subject knowledge. This strategy stifles originality and creative thought. It is necessary to implement a revised examination system that assesses students’ analytical and problem-solving skills.
In Pakistan, poverty is a major barrier to education. Many times, financially strapped families are unable to afford to send their kids to school. In Pakistan, a lot of families place more importance on putting food on the table than on their kids attending school. Many kids are forced into child labor by this economic pressure in order to support their families. It will take skill to break the cycle of poverty and lack of education.
According to Pakistan’s Constitution, all children between the ages of five and sixteen must receive free public education. That being said, with over 31% of its educated youth unemployed, Pakistan faces a serious problem with unemployment.
To address issues with education, the Pakistani government has introduced a number of initiatives and reforms, although execution is still fraught with difficulties. It is not easy to implement reforms in a country as diverse and resource-poor as Pakistan. Overcoming bureaucratic and logistical obstacles is necessary.
Non-governmental groups have been essential in enhancing government initiatives and expanding educational opportunities, particularly in marginalized communities.
Organizations that support education in Pakistan, such as Teach for Pakistan and The Citizens Foundation (TCF), have had a major impact. They set up schools in isolated locations, offer instructional materials, and cater to the particular needs of underprivileged populations in terms of education.
Pakistan’s educational challenges are diverse and varied, with concerns about government, socioeconomic considerations, access, and quality. Even with encouraging advancements and government initiatives, much more needs to be done to guarantee that every child in Pakistan has access to high-quality education.
Writer is student of International Relations at National Defense University . He can be reached at [email protected]
