PAKISTAN is a developing country that needs immediate reforms in its education sector. The curriculum of all technical institutions is often outdated, and that needs to be modernised. We have made education a product, merely to be bought following a specific timeline. The students seem to be awarded a degree in return for the time spent at academic institutions. The teachers do not encourage them to use their minds and employ intelligence to reach tangible and plausible conclusions.

Very rarely do we find them talking about attributes like ethics, loyalty, tolerance, perseverance, consistency, integrity, honesty, comradeship and truthfulness.

Since Pakistan is a multi-ethnic nation, respect and tolerance for all cultures must be inculcated in the students. The culture of reading books must also be encouraged along with developing logical, scientific and critical thinking in them. All these qualities combined together can make them better individuals.

Besides, the shortage of good teachers is also a matter of concern. In some schools, one teacher caters to hundreds of students. Teachers should be provided professional training regularly to keep them updated with latest developments and strategies.

There is a dearth of hands-on learning in our schools. For instance, if the teachers are teaching about animals, they should take the students to the zoo so that they may understand and learn better.

Unfortunately, our focus is on making students rote-learn and pass the exams. The entrance tests conducted by many higher education institutions show lack of trust in the grades acquired by the students.

In this scenario, there is a great need to introduce technology and promote online learning through improvement in infrastructure. Institutional incubation centres or start-up centres may be set up.

Moreover, a serious as well as effective crackdown on non-functional schools, especially across Sindh and Balochistan, should be carried out.

Att he level of higher education, funding for research and development must be increased. Use of technology should also be increased in research methodology. Along with this, much-needed faculty development programmes for supervisors should also be initiated to facilitate the students pursuing higher education.

Enhancing the quality of education through reforms and policy interventions along with resource allocation can be an effective way to improve the quality and standard of education in Pakistan.

Ghazala Ambreen
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024