Is our education system delivering?

Right from the inception of Pakistan and in the early reformatory years, education system suffered a series of setbacks. In the initial years quality of education in Catholic run schools was better off than in government schools. These schools started with teaching English right from preparatory class. The environments in such schools relating to teaching and learning were conducive where devotion and dedication by the teachers and the staff was amply projected.
Such schools like St. Patricks, St. Joseph, St. Lawrence and St. Peters projected an image as bastions / forts of learning. Their aim was to impart education to the masses at an affordable price. There was no concept of commercialism in those days. These schools regarded as citadels of quality learning were affordable for both the rich and the poor. Buildings housing these schools were built with spacious classrooms, play fields, recreational areas, auditoriums and cafeteria etc. Now education has been commercialised where a house is rented and the class rooms are small and crampy. The students endure eight hours of study in uncomfortable environments with no play grounds, cafetaria or auditoriums. As these schools operate on commercial footings, the average fee is beyond the means of the poor. Majority of such schools impart education to the higher echelon of our society which is financially well off.
During Z.A. Bhutto's regime, education system suffered a setback in 1971-72 when private educational institutions were nationalized. From then onwards it was a ride downhill for the system. Within the period 1947-1971, there was a reasonably good standard in government run schools mainly because the teachers were a dedicated lot who were already in the field of education at the time of partition. Thereafter, deterioration started in the system. The causes that can be highlighted for the failure of the system were:-
- No Planning or policy decision at the higher level: Enough funds were not allocated to education sector. Textbooks hurriedly composed by writers incorporating Pakistan Ideology were approved. There was no cohesion-regular pattern to meet a standard. Textbooks with varying standards of the writers' capabilities were introduced. There was the tussle whether Urdu or English was to be the medium of instruction. The educationists and the planners decided for Urdu as medium of instruction. Thus English was taught as a second language. English was started from 6th class and in five years a high school graduate could not have any grip over the language. This continued to add to his miseries in the higher stages of education. This put our graduates on the international scale to a secondary position as they failed to compete with their counterparts in the international market.
-- Absence of regular policy review: No review of the system was conducted to make changes to bring it at par with neighbouring countries or on the international platform. A tendency of complacency had developed where recommendations of various commissions to reform the system were shelved. At one stage some education enthusiasts thought that education can be provided on self help basis - New Roshni Scheme. This was to impart free education to the masses on self help basis to reduce illiteracy.
-- Availability of resources - funds:
Standard education cannot be provided without funds. Countries worldwide allocate sizeable funds to education sector. In the West education upto school level is free but beyond that a student is required to pay for his studies. University education is very expensive. As opposed to this in Pakistan education beyond the school level, including professional education, is paid by the government or is largely subsidized. This policy of subsidizing higher education for professions like doctors, lawyers, scientists and teachers needs to be reviewed. Most of our doctors, after graduation, prefer to go abroad and majority of them settle there permanently. This has become a talent drain for the country as most of the Western countries fill in the vacuum in their ranks by attracting professionals and then with minor adjustments add to their reserve of doctors - lawyers - engineers etc. This drain of trained manpower must be controlled otherwise a stage will come when shortages created within the country will pose a serious threat. Right now there is no control to curb this trend.
-- How education system is spread over on the ground abroad? The basic unit of population on the ground is a county - equivalent of a union council in Pakistan. Primary, secondary schools are located at selected sites keeping the convenience of the public in mind. There is the community area which houses a community centre mostly sports complex - a library unit. Every school has play grounds - an auditorium - car parking - cafeteria etc. A college/ polytechnic institute is located at a suitable / convenient location. The idea is to make presence of education in close proximity of those availing the benefit. One need not travel long distance to attend his school. Upto high school, education is free and compulsory. Your child has to attend classes if enrolled. Absence of a child from school is monitored and reported to parents. A network of libraries exists on the ground. Each school has a library that caters for all needs of the students.
In comparison even our colleges have no libraries. There is complete lack of interest on the part of our students to read. They fail to read the prescribed textbooks and resort mainly to guides that are available in the market. Their vision and knowledge is limited. The Education Department must boost reading habits in students.
-- Availability of competent teaching staff.
Poorly paid, our teachers lack interest, devotion and dedication to their profession - their financial conditions in this costly era are a worrisome factor that prevents them to give their best to the students. Most of the teachers supplement their income by additional tuitions - or extra employments. As opposed to this a teacher abroad is handsomely paid and is economically well off.
-- Revision of syllabus. An important aspect in the upgradation of education is a constant review of the teaching syllabus. With the advancement and the changing researches in the field of science and technology it has become incumbent to review periodically what is being taught at schools/ colleges. We have to bring the system on international level in order to compete. Therefore, periodical reviews are very essential.
-- Lack of parental involvement in child's education. We must face it that the complexities of the present world leave no time for the parents to devote to their child. This gap accounts for major portion of the mess in raising awareness in a child for adequately devoting to his education needs. Lack of parental guidance - attention - interest of parents in child's education are all contributory factors. Parents especially those who are both bread earners, do not give ample time to their kids. This gap exposes a child to a sense of insecurity - loneliness and have psyclogical influences over a child's mind right from the early days of his student career. In the English medium schools they insist in parent involvement as this gives a confidence to the child who feels secure. 'Parents day' - teacher parent meetings are the steps in this direction. This is widely followed abroad.
Our education system needs servicing. We must review the system primarily to see if it meets our needs. Churning out graduates is not the objective of our universities. Is the system producing well backed end product which is ready to take responsibilities?