'AKU examination board to start functioning in 2006'

President Aga Khan University (AKU) Shamsh Kassim Lakha on Friday said AKU Examination Board scheduled to start functioning next year, will take exams of some 4000 students of ninth class in first year, across the country. Talking to participants on second day of a 4-day workshop on "Investigative Reporting" organised by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Panos South Asia with support of Asia Foundation in Karachi, he said AKUEB would strictly follow national syllabi. "Without introducing standard examination process, teacher's training alone cannot get required results of improving education sector in Pakistan," he noted.
Kassim-Lakha said AKUEB did not play any role at any level to change national syllabi or textbooks. "Federal government approved the board. Some provincial boards opposed it earlier, but now they are convinced it was needed to improve standard of education in the country."
In next five years, investment of Rs 420 million will be made. Some 40 percent of this will be contributed from our resources, and remaining 60 percent provided by USAID, he added.
He said education was principal tool for social development, allowing access to opportunities, but its quality here remained amongst lowest in the world.
"In Pakistan adult literacy rate is 42 percent, as against Sri Lanka 92 percent, Iran 77 percent, India 61 percent, Nepal 44 percent and Bangladesh 41 percent. Gross enrolment ratio is 37 percent here, compared to Iran 69 percent, Sri Lanka 65 percent, Nepal 61 percent, India 55 percent and Bangladesh 54 percent".
According to him, only 2.6 percent of 18 million Pakistanis aged 17 to 23 are enrolled in higher education, as against India 6.2 percent, Iran 12.7 percent, Saudi Arabia 13.9 percent and USA 79.9 percent.
"The sole reason behind this is lowest public investment in social sector. Low literacy, low enrolment and low quality have direct impact including low employability and economic downturn and low political participation. Indirect impacts include social conflict arising out of marginalization and overall low social development," he added.
He said AKUEB will improve this situation, as significant and wide-ranging reforms were needed at all levels. "Human resource development is economic and political need in today's world and education offers most effective route.
All parts of education continuum in Pakistan need to be reformed. There is window of opportunity for concerted societal action today," he observed.
Ms Talat Tayabji, Director Public Affairs AKU, Chairman PPI Owais Aslam Ali, Ms Sahar Ali of Panos South Asia and senior journalist Kamal Siddiqui were also present.