Pakistan in Media

The new education policy, which had been pending before the Cabinet since April this year, has finally been approved and unveiled. The ambitious policy envisages a dramatic increase in the literacy rate – and also lays out other measures. Among these is 'uniform' education in the private and public sector, the incorporation of grades XI and XII into schools, increased enrolment in higher education and better qualification for teachers. This all sounds good – at least on paper. Of course one must not be cynical, but experience makes it difficult to steer clear of this. Implementation of policies has been an immense problem in the past. One must hope though that this time the raise to seven per cent of GDP for education does happen. This alone would be a significant step in improving the situation and also raising education higher up the rung as a matter of official priority.

One of the problems we have encountered has also been frequent changes in policies. Each government that comes to office appears to find it necessary to tamper with whatever has happened before and sometimes usher in change only for the sake of change. This has proved immensely damaging in the past. The frequent alteration in when the school year is to start is just one example of this. There are many others, linked to curriculums, examination systems and strategies on madressahs. This lack of consistency has held back progress and only added to the basic issues linked to the standards of education imparted at schools. Only when this platform is set up sturdily can the improvements necessary at higher levels come about. The state of affairs Pakistan faces today makes it necessary for governments to think in terms of leaving behind legacies. Even small contributions would be remembered by people desperate for change. A system of education that can meet needs would be one legacy that would never be forgotten. This is something the government needs to keep in mind as it goes about the task of enforcing the policy it has laid out and taking it from paper to cities, towns and villages.
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